Chaos in CMC meet over eviction

The issue of political pressure blocking the way of the City Municipal Council officials to evict the encroached government land by private individuals in the city, led to war of words between the ruling party and opposition party members, at CMC general body meeting on Thursday.

Raising a recent incident wherein the CMC officers had demolished the house of M A Razak, a resident of Rajarajeshwari Nagara, CMC Member T M Ayyappa questioned why the authorities were indulged in demolishing only the houses belonging to poor and were not evicting the land encroached by the rich. 

Reacting to the question, CMC President H M Nanda Kumar said that Razak was expanding his Ashraya house in the government land which was illegal. As he did not respond to repeated warnings, the officers had to demolish the house, he said. 

The response did not go well with opposition party member Muneer Ahmed who demanded to rebuild Razak’s house or give him compensation as his family lacks shelter now. Opposing his demand, Member P D Ponnappa said it was not justifiable when the government scheme beneficiaries misuse the scheme. The CMC should not give any compensation, he urged.

President Nanda Kumar replied that the decision on demolishing the house was taken with a futuristic thought. The members of a temple committee adjacent to the house raised objections over the expansion of the house from front, as it would cause problem to devotees who visit the temple, hence the decision was taken. The issue should be considered in a practical way, he said.

Opposing the President’s view, Member Ramesh questioned about the land encroachment on Kohinoor road by an individual. But that issue is not tackled as the person has the backup of some influential people, he said.

‘Irregularities in auction’

The opposition party councillors complained over irregularities in auctioning the 18th number shop in the CMC’s shopping complex nearby the private bus stand. Muneer Ahmed said that it was not as per the rule to divide the shop and auction it to two traders. The CMC President assured of solving the issue by consulting the legal experts.

New resolutions

A few resolutions were passed in the CMC meeting on Thursday, including the development of Nehru Mantap using SFC fund, build houses for poor under Vajapeyi Vasathi Yijane, completing pipe laying work under Kunda Mesthri project etc.