HC calls for state response on plea for ward committees in Mangaluru

HC calls for state response on plea for ward committees in Mangaluru

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 20 2018: The High Court of Karnataka on December 19, Wednesday sought the State government’s response to a PIL petition seeking directions to the authorities to take steps to set up ward committees in Mangaluru City Corporation limits.

 

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice S. Sujatha sought the government’s response while hearing the petition filed by Nigel Albuquerque and three others of Mangaluru.

Pointing out that the formation of ward committees is mandatory as per Article 243-S of the Constitution, and as per Section 13 of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, which was amended as per Article 243-S of the Constitution, the petitioners said that no such committees have been formed even 25 years after incorporation of Article 243-S in the Constitution.

Setting up ward committees is vital for Mangaluru city as it allows participation of citizens to take up issues related to their wards, the petitioners said. Pointing out that over 400 lakh litres of drinking water out of the total requirement of 1,300 lakh litres water per day is leaked, wasted or mismanaged, the petitioners said that this issue could be addressed with the participation of citizens in the ward committees.