JOIN USMayor Jacintha Vijaya Alfred has said she will write to State government to initiate stringent action against officials who have failed to implement the decision taken in the council of Mangalore City Corporation.
Chairing the council meeting here on Saturday, she said she will write to the government to conduct an inquiry into the purpose of delegates who had come to Mangaluru to conduct a study on smart city, and to recover expenses incurred on the delegates from the officials, who were responsible for welcoming them with red carpet. As opposition and ruling members continue to disrupt the proceedings of the council meeting, the meeting was adjourned abruptly.
Terming the answer given by Chief Accounts Officer to a query raised by former mayor Mahabala Marla during the last meeting on failing to release funds earmarked under Mayor and Deputy Mayor fund in 2014-15, “as irresponsible answer,” Marla said action should be initiated against those officials who fail to implement the decision taken in the council.
The officials have to report to the government only if the decision taken in the council are in violation of the government guidelines. Supporting him, the ruling and opposition members said that officials have been insulting the councillors. The officials fail to answer the questions posed by the councillors.
The differences of opinion between councillors and Commissioner of Mangaluru City Corporation Hephsiba Rani Korlapati continued even in the meeting. In the meeting, the councillors kept targeting the officials and alleged that development works were going at a slow pace because of the officials. At one point, Marla said that the MCC does not need officials who continue to hinder the work. “We want the development work to be initiated in the wards.”
Councillor Abdul Rauf alleged that there is something fishy in the team which visited Mangaluru to make a study on smart city. “Without the government order, there was no need for sending all the gazetted officers to furnish details to the team,” he said and demanded an inquiry into the issue. However, when asked MCC Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati, she said the team had visited six cities across India and Mangaluru was one among them. “Following the direction of Principal Secretary to Urban Development department, we made arrangement to the delegates. As C and D group employees can not furnish details on the city, I had asked the senior officials to furnish details to the delegates.”
Delay in town hall
Demanding the early completion of town hall work, the opposition councillors entered the well of the house and sat on a dharna. The members shouted slogans against the administration and state government for delaying the work. The councillors said that the town hall work should be initiated immediately.
Corporator Prathibha Kulai said an open drain in Kulai area has polluted the wells in the neighbourhood.
The Surathkal market is in pathetic condition and there is no door to a ladies toilet in Surathkal. “If I fail to get answer by next Council meeting, I will not sit in the council meeting,” she warned.
Invited by Mayor
MCC Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati has said following the direction of Urban Development Secretary through an e-mail, delegates to study smart city were welcomed by Mayor, Dy Mayor, former Mayor Council opposition leader, presidents of standing committees and held discussion Later, in a meeting with councillors, the ideas on smart city were exchanged.
The delegates were invited only after discussing with the Mayor.
The Mayor herself had invited the selected councillors to the meeting. She has clarified that it was not personal programme chalked by her.