Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Feb 26: City mayor, Rajani Dugganna, said that the city corporation wants to have its own police force, and a proposal to this effect has already been sent to the state government. She was addressing a press conference here on Friday February 25.
“The city corporation faces the nagging problem of recovering large number of water bill dues. The problem of illegal encroachment of footpaths by unauthorized vendors has been rampant. There are hundreds of illegal water connections. To bring all these elements to book, the city corporation wants to have its own police force with one sub-inspector, an assistant sub-inspector, two head constables, and four constables. The salary and other expenses of this force will be borne by the city corporation,” she explained.
Rajani said that out of the Rs 100 crore grants sanctioned for the year 2009-10, Rs 86 crore has been released, and Rs 77.16 crore has been paid for various development works. “Out of 16 roads taken up for concreting during the year, 13 have been completed. Three others are in finishing stages. A sum of Rs 50.54 crore has been spent towards road concreting alone,” she added.
The mayor also explained about various development initiatives like park development, bus stands, paver-finishing of the roads, asphalting, providing interlocks etc undertaken during her tenure at the help of the city corporation. She also said that a sum of eight crore rupees has been set aside for the new vented dam at Tumbe, and a sum of Rs 8.23 crore has been paid towards acquiring land for the proposed bus stand near Pumpwell in the city.
The mayor chose to remain silent when enquired about the phenomenon of reappointed officials of the corporation to strategic places, instead of making fresh appointments. She also could not say anything about the absence of the city commissioner and other officials, other than claiming that she had invited the corporation commissioner to the press conference.
Deputy mayor, Rajendra, standing committee chairpersons, Sudhir Shetty, Shanta R, and Roopa Bangera, were present.