Row over Indira canteen rocks CMC meeting

The ruling and the Opposition members levelled allegations against the proposed Indira Canteen that will come up at a private bus stand in Madikeri during the City Municipal Council meeting on Saturday.

The meeting was chaired by CMC president Kaveramma Somanna.

BJP member P D Ponnappa said, "The City Municipality should not have given permission for the opening of an Indira canteen on the land earmarked for a private bus stand. An alternative site should have been identified for the canteen. The members' suggestions should have been taken before finalising the land."

'Enough other spaces'

Supporting him, members K M Ganesh and Unnikrishna said that there is enough space for construction of the canteen in the rest of the town. "There was no need to make a private bus stand congested by parting its land for the Indira canteen," they added.

Reacting to it, City Municipality president Kaveramma Somanna said, "It is not right to pose a hurdle to a good project."

Vice president T S Prakash, however, said that the City Municipality members are not even allowed to check the quality of the work.

Raja Seat work

Member K M Ganesh said that tender should not be invited for parking of vehicles in Raja Seat. The tenderer has been collecting exorbitant fees from tourists, he complained.

In response, City Municipality Commissioner B Shubha said that tender will not be invited for the work.

Member Veenakshi said although the City Municipality in the past has resolved not to permit an exhibition at Gandhi Maidan, the resolution is not being implemented effectively.

There was also a discussion on permission granted for a fish selling unit on Ganapathi street.