After a long gap of 4 to 5 months, our corporators have taken charge. They have made a number of offers in their election propaganda. BJP, in their propaganda has assured to form ‘Ward committees’ as envisaged in the Govt notification of 1997. The purpose of this is to ensure transparency in administration. Though the said notification has been issued 11 years ago, it is strange to note that the system has not been introduced here so far. Though the authorities concerned have been requested umpteen number of times, nothing has been done so far. When the authorities have no problem in implementing other government orders like Akrama-sakrama, self assessment tax and revised water tariff, what is it that prevents them from introducing the ward committees?

In this context, it needs to be appreciated that a ward committee has been formed in Shiv Bagh where Gretta Rebello is the corporator. The mayor should look into this matter and take immediate action to form ward committees in the remaining 59 wards for carrying out developmental activities with the involvement of the voters.
J F D’Souza, Attavar

Birds are missing
It is a very strange and bizarre feeling every morning, when you get up early and walk in your garden, you really miss the sweet sounds of lovely birds which used to habituate in the plants and trees in the garden.
Invariably almost very big Ashoka trees, the cherry trees, the mango trees all used to have a number of nests of these lovely birds which used to lay and hatch their eggs during their season. In fact, it was like the sweet sound of a very pleasant natural alarm which wakes us up to a joyful morning every day. Suddenly during the last one or two years, we are missing these birds!

The humming birds, the kingfisher, the lovebirds, the parrots are all missing! Where have they gone or have they vanished? Even the crows which never allowed us to dry coconut or cashew nuts or papadams in the sun, are rare these days. They are missing even when we serve them food during the annual rituals for the departed elders.

The leftovers are either served to the stray dogs or thrown to the garbage bin! What is happening to our environment which was full of these lovely birds which had a role to play in our ecological balance? Will someone knowledgeable enlighten us on this aspect of nature. Whether urbanisation has driven away these birds, or are they vanishing? Are we not concerned?
B N R Rao, Vivek Nagar, Kulur.

Publish   Corporators’ phone numbers
The civic authorities should bring out the fogging machine it had acquired years ago and put it to good use. A vigil to be put on construction sites that let off water waste into the roads and block the drains. The best the citizens can do is to call their helpful corporator and inform him or her of any such irregularity in their areas. The cell number of the corporation officials and our local corporator must be published for the benefit of the citizens.Ruchir Agarwal, Mangalore

Distress, death on roads
News reports consistently project that our roads and highways virtually deal in distress and trauma.
The travel scenario in Mangalore is such that the young students, aged and particularly women are vulnerable in greater degree. In particular, travelling in buses and walking on roads. The principles of our bus operators are highly dangerous to life and limb. Many are witness to women being seriously injured while boarding or alighting from buses whose footboard are always too high.

The indisciplined stopping of vehicles and intimidating attitude of the crew add to the problems.

The arbitrary absence of control and application of regulations by the authorities concerned is down right deplorable.

Police role may be limited, but it is for the RTO/RTA to take a call to tackle the serious situation on our roads. Good public transport, proper control of vehicle population, speed and safety laws must be implemented immediately.
I J S Shet, Bolar

Readers may send their letters to The Editor, Deccan Herald, Yenepoya Chambers, 2nd floor, Balmatta, Mangalore or e-mail to dhmangalore@deccanherald.co.in.