Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 30: Opposition corporators vented their anger at the improper waste handling within the city corporation limits. The corporators also complained that Antony Waste Handling Cell to which the garbage disposal contract has been given, has not been executing the work properly even though the households properly segregate waste.

Congress corporator Bhaskar K, raised the topic at the general session of the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) council held on Thursday July 29 at the corporation building here. He recalled that the city had bagged first prize in cleanliness in the year 2018, but now, problems are created by Antony Waste Handling, he said, adding that the company has not been disposing of waste in a proper manner.

Another corporator Praveenchandra Alva, felt that the problem of garbage which was staring the corporation in the eye in 2012-13 may return to haunt the people in 2022. He said that the heaps of waste on the roadsides makes him angry. When a few ruling corporators said garbage disposal in their wards has been done in a proper way, the opposition corporators felt that they must be having some influence. On this issue, the corporators from the two sides were engaged in verbal friction for some time.

City mayor Prermananda Shetty, said that 70 percent success has been registered in waste sorting out at home. He said that under the directions of the high court, many steps have been taken at Pachanady including construction of retaining wall to a height seven metres to see that waste landslide tragedy does not get repeated. He said that the contract period of Antony Waste will end in six months and that during the next period, priority will be given to waste processing in a scientific way. Commissioner Akshy Sridhar, said that in the light of the contract with Antony Waste coming to an end shortly, a detailed project report will be prepared on the matter of waste handling and tender will be floated by August end.

Varun Chowta of the ruling party said that a twitter campaign to grant official status to Tulu by including it in the 8th schedule of the constitution is going on. He requested the city corporation to bring pressure on the government on this matter. Mayor Premananda Shetty, said that the issue will be placed before the government.

The corporation has decided to rename Ladyhill Circle as Brahmashree Narayana Guru Circle and has planned to seek approval of the government. Biruver Kudla organization have submitted request to make this change. The corporation, which issued release, has received objections. After the agenda was placed before the meeting on Thursday, it was decided to seek the approval of the government.

A C Vinayaraj of the Congress said that the corporation was wrong in getting 9.4 acres of land near Bondel for the purpose of IT Park, by way of TDR. He said that feasibility report about the IT Park on this land has not been submitted. He stated that for the purpose of IT Park, the government has to notify the land and take possession of the land and TDR issuance is not the right route. The city mayor, replying after a prolonged debate, opined that specified land cannot be taken over through RDR. The corporation commissioner said that no decision to set up IT Park at the specific land is not being taken, and only a proposal seeking the government permission to acquire land through TDR is being put up.

Opposition corporator Keshava, pointed out that it has been long time since land was acquired for bus stand near Pumpwell but the work has not begun. He said that the place has turned into a dumping yard. The commissioner said that tender was floated for Pumpwell bus stand thrice but no one has come forward for the same. He clarified that redesigning has been decided and tender will be called a gain.

Poornima of the BJP said that street vendors are again encroaching the roads, causing problems for the people and sought action. Opposition corporators too supported her. The mayor said that shortly the Tiger operation will be launched against unauthorised petty shops and road encroachers.

Deputy mayor Sumangala Rao, standing committee chairperson Lokesh Bollaje, Sandeep Garody, Shobha Rajesh, Leelavathi and others were present.