TMC functioning irks minister

Receiving the progress of the local governing bodies on Friday, he said that financial management of the Town Municipal Council is not satisfactory.

The Minister said that the funds earmarked for welfare of SC/STs has not been utilised efficiently, decisions are not taken on time and the various taxes including water cess is not being collected efficiently.

He asked the Mescom and Town Water Supplies and Drainage Board Engineers to start the express lines for water supply. He said that in future, the Council must strive to provide tap water to every house.

The Minister noted that the funds set aside for construction of toilets for the SC/STs have not been utilised. “The taxes are due for collection over the last 9 years and the Commissioner has failed to bring large number of buildings into tax bracket,” Suresh Kumar said.

On discovering the fact that Council is liable to pay Rs 3 crore as electricity bill, Minister asked the officials to contact the higher ups and solve the issue.

With regard to garbage collection, he said that if the Self Help Groups come forth to collect the garbage then the Government will provide the equipment required for garbage collection. He said that the officials should take the responsibility of monitoring the garbage collection work. Members informed the Minister that three posts of Health Inspectors, one environment engineer and manager are lying vacant in the Council.

In writing

After looking into the functioning of the Council, the Minister asked the Municipal Commissioner to give in writing all the developmental works undertaken and initiated during his tenure. Town Panchayat and other local governing bodies are supposed to hand over the report to the Deputy Commissioner within a week.

The Minister suggested that the council cleaning section should divide the city into wards or zones and hold special programmes in every ward twice a week.

MLA C T Ravi, Council President D K Ningegowda, Vice-President Yashodha Shankar among others were present.