Minister: New changes in urban development department

Urban Development and Housing Minister U T Khader said that various plans are on the anvil to bring about municipal reforms.

Speaking to media persons after reviewing the progress of the new DC’s office complex construction work at Padil on Friday, he said efforts are on to build a single window system in Revenue Department. Municipal Research Centre has been developing the software Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in this regard.

The software is likely to be launched on August 15. Also, automation of Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) is prioritised. Model bylaws will be formed for the Urban Development Department. The district is in the first place in submitting a proposal towards the same, he said.

After speaking to officials regarding the work progress on the DC’s office complex, he said that the proposed budget of the building is Rs 41 crore. The funds have already been released and the work is in progress. The work was started four months ago. The complex work has to be completed by December 2019. The DC office complex will be built in a G+2 model and covers an area of 2,25,000 square feet. The offices of the Revenue, food, health and another department will be accommodated in the new DC office complex. Parking facilities will be made for 234 vehicles. Some changes are suggested in the building and an additional funds have been sought for furniture and other equipment, he said.

Simultaneously, the stretch of Bajal-Padil-Jeppinamogaru will be developed so as to improve better road connectivity to the new DC’s office, he stated.

Khader said that a meeting has been convened with the chief minister and the deputy chief minister on July 28 at 4.30 pm in Bengaluru towards discussing the issues pertaining to Revenue, Law and Rural Drinking Water and Panchayat Raj Departments. Deputy commissioners of all districts and the secretaries of all departments will take part.

Reacting to the comments made by Vijayapura City MLA and BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal on intellectuals, Khader said one can only expect such harsh comments by people who have celebrated the death of the father of the nation.

Former MLA B Ramanath Rai said that the project on the new DC’s complex was hit by the delay at the initial stage as some people approached the National Green Tribunal against the work. The earmarked land in Padil belongs to the Karnataka State Forest Industrial Corporation and the department has been compensated with another 5.7 acres of land in Bangra Kuluru. The new DC office will provide better connectivity to people from other taluks as well as it is located on the highway, Rai said.

Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil and Additional Deputy Commissioner Kumar were present.