Media wrongly reported mayor’s statement – MCC Commissioner Harish Kumar

Media wrongly reported mayor’s statement – MCC Commissioner Harish Kumar

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 1, 2012: Harish Kumar, MCC commissioner, clarified that the mayor had asked MCC officers to inform her after conducting a raid, not before it. Speaking at the MCC’s general council meeting in the ZP office on June 30, Saturday, he said that the media had wrongly reported the mayor’s instructions and had confused between “before” and “after.” He was responding to a question asked by Shankar Bhat at the meeting.

It may be recalled that Mayor Gulzar Banu had recently directed MCC officers to inform her in advance before conducting a raid. Her directive had attracted a lot of criticism from MCC officers.

Explaining the matter further, Mr. Kumar said that he had immediately called up the mayor to clear certain confusions in her statement. The mayor had told him that the media had wrongly reported her directives. 

Mr. Kumar also said that a number of reporters call up the mayor whenever a raid is conducted asking for information and the mayor is unable to make any statement as MCC officers conduct these raids independently. The mayor had therefore requested the officers to keep her updated.
He clarified that nobody, including the mayor, will be told about the raids before they are conducted. 

Corporator Harinath complained that MCC officers, particularly those from the sanitation department, are interested only in raiding places that have totally neglected cleanliness and are least bothered about taking steps to make the city cleaner and more hygienic. Responding to his statement, Mr. Kumar said that the MCC is conducting these raids because a number of traders do not have proper licenses and documents. 

Regarding the increase in the number of malaria and dengue cases in Mangalore, Mr. Kumar said that the MCC has taken the required steps to prevent the further spread of these diseases.

Stating that these diseases spread chiefly because of bad construction methods, improper drainage systems, and lack of cleanliness in hotels, he said that strict action will be taken against those fail to take proper precautionary measures against these diseases. Further, he said that the civic body has appointed a staff of 72 people to conduct surveys and bring the situation under control. 

Mayor Gulzar Banu presided and several MCC officers, including Amitha Kala, the deputy mayor, were present.