CMC meet turns stormy over priority for 22 wards in funds allocation

Members of the City Municipal Council (CMC) indulged in a war of words over the priority in allocation of funds to 22 wards under the 14th Finance Commission at the general body meeting.

Raising the issue, BJP member Dinakar Shetty Herga demanded clarification on the guidelines considered for the allocation. He questioned on what basis Rs 3.99 crore had been allocated to the 22 wards, though people from all wards pay taxes.

Commissioner Manjunathaiah said the funds released under 14th Finance Commission were mainly for asset creation and permanent constructions. Hence, the funds were allocated accordingly. An amount of Rs 58.85 lakh is allotted to provide drinking water facilities, Rs 39.10 lakh is released for underground drainage works and  Rs 79.80 lakh to solid waste management, respectively, he said.

Replying to another question, the Commissioner said that the Deputy Commissioner had instructed the executive engineer of the National Highways Authority of India to furnish details on the repair of potholes on the stretch from Malpe to Parkala, as it is prone to accidents. Besides, the road in front of INOX in Manipal is deteriorating.

‘Repair road’

The Commissioner said that the DC had, in a meeting, directed the private firm concerned to repair the road and provide an outlet for the flow of water. The other issue that was discussed was the irregularities in the construction work of the fish market at Kadiyali.Yashpal Suvarna demanded that the market should be demolished and should be rebuilt, owing to the cheap quality of the construction work. The expenses should be recovered from the contractor responsible for the poor work, Suvarna said.

M R Pai said that the CMC should hasten the preparatory works for the Paryaya celebrations, as the event would attract devotees from across the world and would be a grand affair. The officials said that the underground drains on the Car Street were being repaired and old pipes were being replaced. Members blamed each other over the construction of an overbridge at Karavali junction.