Strong objection to Udupi CMC's plans to hike licence fee

No hike since 1985 a lie, says opposition

 The ruling Congress in the City Municipality had to encounter stiff opposition to as well as a huge hue and cry on the proposed draft recommendation to hike licence fee.

Raising the issue here at the general body meeting, the opposition leader in the house M R Pai alleged that it is totally unconstitutional to propose the hike in the licence fee. “It is against the Schedule XIII of Municipal Act 1964 and the by-law of the House is not above the Act. The Act also restricts a hike in the licence fee within Rs 500,” he challenged.

The slab system is another ridiculous, confusing pattern, he alleged. “The CMC Commissioner has also lied during his press briefing that the licence fee is not hiked since 1985. Moreover, although the opposition demanded that their resistance to the proposal be documented, the very idea was refuted,” Pai alleged.

He added the serious issue is mentioned in the supplementary agenda, which is objectionable. The High Court has directed that the licence fee should not be considered as revenue, he said.

The members tore apart the sheets of the supplementary copy as the issue of licence fee hike was mentioned in it and threw the paper pieces towards the president.

CMC Commissioner Manjunathayya said that the proposal is still in its nascent phase. “Nothing concrete has happened. The proposal will undergo all legal formalities mentioned in the Act before the final consideration.

The proposal is presented in the house for endorsement, following which, it will be published in the dailies calling for objections. Talks are held with concerned traders before taking the decision. Only 20 per cent of the traders will feel the brunt of the plan who are in creamy layer. It will least affect the C-category traders, while the B-category traders may or may not have to pay extra compared to the present tariff. There would be mere Rs 32 lakh difference,” he explained.

Absent from meeting

President Yuvaraj said that a meeting had been called on February 25, but the opposition members had absented themselves. He said the public convenience is given priority.

Congress member Janardhan Bhandarkar said that the slab created for the proposed hike in the licence fee includes the initial count which begins from Rs 150 for 250 to 500 square feet. Sites above 500 square feet would be charged Rs 200, he added.

The president said that the issue would be taken up in the next meeting, following the formalities and revising the proposed system of valuating the price.

The members unanimously alleged that the deputy commissioner  is trying to overstep the powers of the CMC.

The new open air theatre built at Beedenagudde area is another example, which shows the autocratic approach of the DC. He decides and fixes the price for renting the open air theatre although it comes under the jurisdiction of the City Municipality, said the members, also opposing the plant allotting the area adjacent to the theatre for the officers club.

Member Yashpal Suvarna said that the Beedenaguude area should also incorporate the play ground cum stadium.