JOIN USThe general meeting of the Mysuru City Corporation held here on Tuesday was adjourned as pandemonium broke out during a discussion on drinking water problems in the city.
Corporator Ma V Ramprasad raised the issue, pointing out that it had been four months since the water pump stopped functioning. “Even the alternative pump is under repair. What are the officials doing?” he wanted to know.
Shivakumar and Sandesh Swamy supported him and asked the officials to take the drinking water problems seriously. “As the summer has already set in, the demand for water will also increase. There is a need to assess whether the 60 million litres per day (MLD) of water being lifted from Kabini River is being used judiciously. If there are lapses, the issues should be discussed to find out solutions,” they said.
Meanwhile, Purushottham said that water had not been supplied to his ward for the couple of days as a result of which he was unable to answer angry citizens. He accused the officials of being non-responsive to his enquiries and directions. He rushed towards the officials seated in a gallery. Most of the members vented their ire against the officials claiming that elected representatives have to bear the brunt of the people due to apathy on the part of the officials.
MCC Commissioner G Jagdeesha said that the normalcy would be restored in water supply from Wednesday (March 1). He said a meeting of the officials concerned was held recently. “Most of the borewells have been repaired. Repair of the motor pumps has been initiated. There are no arrears to be paid in connection with any water works. Talks will be held with the government to dig new borewells,” he said.
The corporators objected to the release of Rs 2 crore for the development of the road from Five Lights Circle to St Philomena’s Church without bringing it to the notice of the Standing Committee on Planning.
Committee president Nadeesh Preetham said, the commissioner has the powers to sanction works up to Rs 50 lakh. However, the officials have brought the issue to the notice of the council directly after approving it, bypassing the committee, he pointed out. Most of the corporators supported him. But, the commissioner maintained silence.
Tender okayed
The council approved the issuance of the tender to reconstruct the century-old Devaraja Market, a portion of which had collapsed a couple of months ago. Bengaluru-based Minds Works Consultants bagged the Rs 70 crore contract for Rs 68.5 crore.