Mayor faces heat for not sanctioning funds

Officials reluctant to collect tax from people: Corporators

Mayor B L Bhyrappa, on Monday, asked Assistant Commissioners and Development Officers (DO) of all the zones under the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) to submit an estimation on potholes in the wards in their respective zone limits, within two days, during the council meeting.

The Mayor took a decision in this regard as he faced severe opposition from the corporators as he had failed to sanction the funds as announced in the last meeting. Bhyrappa had announced Rs 30 lakh to each ward in the previous meeting, held on January 21.

Corporator Jagadish said when the funds cannot be sanctioned, the Mayor should not announce it. “Residents are questioning us for not filling the potholes,” he said. 

Corporator Srikantaiah said, the civic body can earmark Rs 80 lakh per ward for development. But, no development works have been taken up, yet. He demanded the Mayor to immediately release Rs 30 lakh for every ward.

A few other corporators alleged that though the civic body had taken up several development works like underground drainage (UGD) six months ago, many works were incomplete and were causing inconvenience to residents.

BJP Corporator T S Girishprasad said, except for ward 12, represented by Mayor, no other wards were in good condition. The officials are showing negligence towards development works, he alleged. Another corporator alleged that the officials were reluctant to work and also do not care for people’s representatives.

Congress party corporator Ayub Khan threatened to stage a protest against the Mayor, if he fails to take up works soon.

Commissioner C G Betsurmath claimed that the MCC was facing a dearth of funds and thus it could not sanction funds announced in the previous meeting. 

He said, pothole filling works would be taken up at any cost. The authorities have been taking up emergency works on priority. No contractor is coming forward to take up works even after six months of inviting tenders due to the delay in payment of bills, the Commissioner said.

A few corporators alleged that the officials are reluctant to collect tax from the people. Many petrol bunks, apartments, choultries and business establishments are not paying tax. So, the officials should stop providing basic facilities to such establishments, they said.