JOIN USCMC members oppose hike in trade licence fee
The Udupi CMC members have opposed 10 per cent hike in trade licence fee, at the CMC monthly meeting here on Monday.
The members said that the Deputy Commissioner should not interfere in the functioning of the CMC. They demanded that hike in trade licence fee should be withheld. The hike in trade licence needs to be discussed and revised.
MLA Pramod Madhwaraj has said that a separate meeting will be convened in the presence of Kundapur AC and Udupi Tahsildar to discuss the issue pertaining to widening of Manipal-Parkala road. The meeting will discuss on compensation for those who will lose land for road.
Right of members
The differences of opinion in connection with the rights entrusted to the members in decision-making process on implementation of development projects, led to a high profile drama that resulted in BJP members impending the CMC meeting.
The BJP members raised the issue after the Congress led house decided to assign the right of allocation of development projects to the president on priority following the majority votes. The issue was raised in connection with fund allocations to the members under Rs 3 crore funds released by the CM. This very fact irked the BJP members who claimed that their rights should be respected.
Member Dinaker Shetty said that it was totally autocratic and president should not be entrusted with decision making powers when it comes to development projects that needs to be taken up in each ward.
He was supported by other BJP members who began to claim their rights and rushed to the well of the house shouting slogans against the president and the commissioner. The heated argument was followed by slogans against Congress members.
MLA Pramod Madhwaraj said that the opposition members have their right to agitate supporting their dissatisfaction, however the right to decide over the development projects in each ward will be taken up following majority votes. The BJP members also created obstacles to read the remaining part of the agenda for an approval. However, amidst chaos the agenda was read out and approved.
Earlier members Shyamprasad Kudva and Ramesh Kanchan said that there is acute shortage of water in Kolambe and Shanthinagara. Officer Shashidhar clarified that there was no shortage of water, and the problem was due to damage of water pipes. The pipes have been repaired and set right within two days of receiving the complaint.
Dog menace
The other issue that attracted prolonged arguments was street dog menace and sterilisation programmes.
Member Vasanti Shetty said that street dogs are creating havoc in Ambaladi area and the CMC has failed to take up sterilisation programme effectively. The official said that 385 dogs have been sterilised. This includes 177 male and 208 female dogs. Besides, 188 dogs have been vaccinated. He said the work is assigned to a NGO from Hyderabad through a tender process.
STP
Commissioner Srikanth Rao said that the STP plant in Nittur and the wet wells surrounding the plant is been taken up for sludge cleansing. The sludge is cleared once in 15 days.DH News Service