JOIN USState Finance Commission urged to fill vacancies in ULBs
The presidents and the vice-presidents of various urban local bodies of the district and other people’s representatives appealed to the chairman and the members of the Fourth State Finance Commission to take steps to fill vacancies, and to solve problems of underground drainage systems, roads and drinking water.
They were listing out the problems of the urban areas of the district, before the commission, headed by C G Chinnaswamy, at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, here, on Wednesday.
MLA Chikkamadu said, there was a vacancy of at least 60 posts in H D Kote and Sarguru civic bodies.
“Even the engineers’ posts are lying vacant. So, it is difficult to plan, estimate
and execute development works. Underground drainage is a big problem in both HD Kote and Sarguru. The lands required for the works have already been identified. An
estimate of Rs 55 crore for Kote and Rs 5 crore for Sarguru has been submitted to the government. People are also facing problems as there are no adequate burial grounds,” he said.
Vice-president of Nanjangud Town Municipal Council (TMC) Pradeep said, the
state government should directly appoint pourakarmikas instead of asking the civic bodies to hire them through contractors.
Periyapatna TMC president Venugopal said, the underground drainage system in the town needs to be relaid.
“The drainage water is diverted to the lake, which has to be changed. Water of borewells contain fluoride and it is not suitable for drinking. So, the town needs a permanent drinking water project. The government should take steps to recruit regular employees to the council as 90% of the revenue is being spent on the salaries of the employees at present,” he said.
Hunsur TMC president Lakshman said, out of the sanctioned 336 posts, there are only 165 regular employees. “Staff shortage is severly affecting the functioning of the TMC. Pourakarmikas have been appointed through self-help groups. Steps should be taken to provide them ESI and PF benefits,” he said.
Commission members Amarnath and H Shashidhar and consultant K Chandrasekhar were present.