MCC meet : Mayor’s announcement of Rs 25 lakh grant for each ward leads to war of words

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 22, 2020:     The announcement by Mayor Diwaker Pandeshwar of  a  grant of Rs 25 lakhs to each of the ward in the city limits to help the local corporators   get  emergency works undertaken,  led to a heated debate  in the MCC Council meeting  on September 22, Tuesday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Mayor said the funds are being released to undertake road development, underground drainage and other essential works.

Reacting to this, opposition Congress Corporator Vinay Raj pointed out that the government has not yet approved the budget proposals for 2020-21 and that   bills amounting to Rs 70 crore  towards various  works are still  pending under General Fund. When this is the case, contractors would be hesitant to take up words under General Fund, he said.

Intervening at this juncture, BJP corporator Premanand Shetty said the opposition should not politicise the issue at a time when the Mayor has decided to provide grants despite the present difficult times.

Congress Corporator Naveen D’Souza raised the issue of water bills and said the hefty bills has become a burdern for the people. Shashidhar Hegde too raised his vocie and said the   domestic water rate should be Rs  80 upto 24,000 litres usage as earlier. Later  heeding to the suggestion of Lancelot Pinto, the Mayor assured to hold Water Adalats  every month to redress public grievances relating to water bills.