Water supply: MCC to take on State government

'Water supply is the responsibility of the local civic body'

The council of the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) decided to take on the State government, over who would handle the responsibilities pertaining to water supply, here, on Monday.

At the council meeting, corporators claimed that it is the responsibility of the local civic body to handle urban water supply as per Section 58 (21) of the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act, 1976. 

On the notice issued by the Regional Commissioner (RC), on why the decision taken by the MCC to handle water supply responsibilities should not be withdrawn, the corporators said, it could not be done as per Section 98 (2) of the Act.

Earlier, the councillors expressed their ire against the notice issued by the RC, alleging that the RC office was intruding in the affairs of the MCC.

During the meeting, a letter written by Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB), over the problems faced if the MCC was handed over the responsibility, resulted in a ruckus. The situation worsened after a question on whether the contents of the letter was brought to the notice of the Mayor, by BJP member M V Ramprasad, went unanswered.

JD(S) member Sandesh Swamy alleged that the water problem faced by the city was part of an elaborate conspiracy. He said, vested interests were working to derail drinking water supply in the city and questioned why the motors of the pumping station were not repaired for 15 days.

Burial grounds

The issue of handing over the maintenance of Harishchandra Ghat, near Chamundi Hill, to Asare Foundation Charitable Trust of former MLA S A Ramdas, also resulted in a loud disagreement at the council. With the council in a logjam over the issue, the subject was postponed by the Mayor.

While BJP members were in favour of the proposal, Congress members vehemently opposed it, citing alleged irregularities of the foundation in the past.

During the meeting, Congress corporators staged a protest, demanding subsidies to construct houses under Gruha Bhagya, even for houses constructed at revenue layouts.