Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Oct 8: Puttur MLA Sanjeev Matandoor on Tuesday, October 9 alleged district-in-charge minister U T Khader of misusing his power over construction of slaughterhouse.

Addressing media here on Tuesday, October 8, Sanjeev Matandoor said, “Mangaluru was selected for smart city and several development works is taking place under smart city project. The Smart City Board has been formed but few days ago advisory committee was formed. District-in-charge minister U T Khader claims to be constructing slaughterhouse in Kudroli worth Rs 15 crore to enhance food hygiene and maintain the cleanliness in the city. But by this move, minister U T Khader is appeasing one section of the community and trying to loot money.”

“In the name of smart city, this recommendation was kept without taking the decision of local MP’s, MLA’s and stakeholders. U T Khader has misused the power to appease one section of the community,” he lashed out.

One of the directors of Smart City Board Premananda Shetty said, “District in-charge minister U T Khader submitted a letter to MCC Commissioner on August 16, to include four projects under smart city project. Later it was passed on to the chairman of Smart City Board Ponnuraj through Commissioner. As per the procedure, the recommendation should have been given to the Mayor and project must be approved in the Corporation Council and then has to be placed before the board for its approval. But U T Khader submitted letter directly to the commissioner and brought these projects to board meeting without getting approval from corporation council.”

“In the draft minutes, it was clearly mentioned that it has to be approved in Corporation Council and then placed before the board for its approval. But in the final proceedings, it was mentioned that four projects were included in the list of smart city projects. How the projects can be included without any approval from Corporation Council?” he questioned.

Sanjeev Matandoor walks off from his own press meet

Sanjeev Matandoor had invited the media for a press conference over controversial construction of slaughterhouse. Soon after the press conference, media questioned MLA over the issue and asked to give proper justification over the slaughterhouse row. But Sanjeev Matandoor could not answer the questions and decided to walk away from the press conference. When media questioned on how he can walk away from his own press meet, he refused to answer, pushing the responsibility to Premananda Shetty to answer media queries.

Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyas Kamath, North MLA Dr Bharath Y Shetty and others were present.