JOIN USMulti-level complex for shelterless
A multi-level complex to house shelterless people at Gaadi Chowka near Nanjumalige, land for beetel leaf (Mysooru veelyadele) growers in the city to conserve the crop and strong instructions to officers concerned to remove illegal flex boards and publicity materials that mars the beauty of the city.... these were some of the decisions taken at the council meeting at Mysore City Corporation (MCC) here on Thursday.
MCC commissioner K S Raykar told the council that the plan to construct a dedicated place (ground plus three floors) for the shelterless, follows a directive from the Supreme Court. Accordingly, the local body has decided to construct a multi-level complex at Gaadi Chowka, at an estimated cost of Rs 1.60 crore.
The cellar will have parking space for vehicles, while the ground floor will have a training centre, one dormitory with 44 beds, office, health centre, kitchen, dining hall, bathroom and toilet. The first floor will have two dormitories with 80 beds and necessary facilities. Ramps will be constructed to facilitate elderly, weak and disabled people. The state government has already sanctioned 50 per cent of the funds for the purpose.
The commissioner said MCC acted swiftly to address the issue of shelterless who are largely found near bus stand, railway station, besides other places. A survey was taken up in two phases to identify such people. In the first phase, close to 700 people were identified, while in second phase the numbers came down to 294.
Of them, 25 have been rehabilitated at the temporary shelter constructed in Gaadi Chowka, while 52 have been rehabilitated at a godown space attached to the office of zone six. The commissioner said they have been provided with all facilities from TV to beds. The council also discussed the possibilities of creating the facility at MCC owned space near Narayana Shastry road.
The long-pending demand of beetel leaf growers was considered with the council approving five gunta of lands for each of the beneficiaries. Following the demand from 254 beetel leaf growers, the government had directed the MCC to allot five guntas of lands each at Sewage Farm. After debate, with most councillors — especially from BJP — exhorting the mayor to accord land for a lease of 30 years, it was eventually decided to resolve the issue that had been pending for 30 years.
However, mayor Pushplatha Chikkanna clarified that MCC reserves the order to withdraw land if the lessee is found using the same for purposes other than growing beetel leaves.
It was the decision taken by then City Improvement Trust Board (CITB) earlier owner of Sewage Farm. The previous local bodies — CMC and TMC before it became city corporation — too had endorsed the decision.
What caused more noise at the meeting was the increasing number of illegal flex boards, marring the beauty of the city. Corporators — irrespective of parties —
urged the mayor to take action as it was growing into a menace.
The commissioner said an advertisement policy that would address all the issues would be devised shortly. He informed the police had already booked 30 cases against erring advertisers on his recommendation.
He had already issued orders to assistant commissioners, junior engineers and assistant engineers to act against erring advertisers.
Bangarappa condoled
Earlier, a minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to former chief minister S Bangarappa, who passed away recently. Corporators, cutting across party lines, praised the contribution of Bangarappa for the welfare of backward classes and Dalits. Corporator P Devaraj, a close associate of Bangarapppa, broke down, only to be consoled by others.