Report and Pics by Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (RD/SP)
Bantwal, Jan 15: Lapses on the part of engineers, utilization of funds without bringing to the notice of municipal councillors, discrimination in disconnecting illegal water connections, municipal employees playing computer games in the office during duty hours etc., were the issues that came up at the general session of the local municipal council, held here on Tuesday January 13.
The session held at the SJRY Community Building, was chaired by municipal president B Yashoda in the presence of MLA B Ramanat Rai.
The meeting saw accusations and counter-accusations being hurled at each others by the ruling and opposition party members, chief officer, municipal president and engineers. The councillors alleged that the administration has been following discriminatory practices in disconnecting illegal water connections. Although water bills to the tune of more than Rs 30 lac are over due, municipal officers seem to be lenient in taking necessary action, they complained. The department engineer failed to come up with a satisfactory reply.
Councillor Govind Prabhu took the department engineers into task for the delay in executing over 40 development works across the taluk. A lady engineer drew the attention of the councillors over the non-availability of computers for preparing estimates for various works, as the colleagues are busy playing computer games in the office.
It was decided to write to the deputy commissioner (DC) explaining the lapses on the part of the department engineers in discharging their duties.
MLA Rai advised the municipal council to convene an extra ordinary session, in order to discuss various problems with the authorities concerned relating to Mescom, telecom and highways on the issues of underground drainage works, Baddakatte and Panemangalore Bridge works etc., as the tender process is under way.
The chief officer drew the attention over the opposition registered by the Mangalore MLA on the plan of setting up of garbage disposal unit in 4.55 acres plot of municipal land at Kanchinapadav in Sajipanadu village, which will be brought to the notice of the DC by a letter.
The discussions on taking necessary measures to curb the menace of stray dogs within the municipal limits, to provide relevant information on works while calling for tenders, to regularize the services of daily labourers who have completed 10 years of service in the municipality and other issues were held at the occasion.
Vice president Iqbal Goodinabali, Dinesh Bhandary, Gopal Suvarna, Riyaz Hussain, Mohammed Nandarabettu, Swarnalata Malli and nominated members were involved in the discussions.
Chief officer Shivalinga Kondadaguli conducted the proceedings.