Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)

Mangalore, Mar 24: Mangalore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) chairman S Ramesh on Saturday March 23 made attempts to clarify the charges leveled against MUDA by the Congress that those possessing 3-5 cents of land were not allowed to construct houses.

He told reporters at a press meet at Ocean Pearl Hotel that the Congress has been involved in propaganda against the MUDA. “The allegations about MUDA denying owners of 3 to 5 cents of land permission to construct houses is completely wrong,” he said adding that there were 3,324 single sites of 3 to 5 cents that have been approved in 2012-13.

He invited the Congress leaders for an open debate on the issue and stated that there is nothing wrong with MUDA. “I am ready to answer any questions they have and the public on single site issue,” he said. He pointed out that MUDA had been functioning by maintaining humanitarian standards. He alleged that the Congress party is indulging in petty politics by hiding facts.

Disagreeing that the rules were changed during the tenure of the BJP government in the state on approval for single sites, he said that BJP government has suffered due to the Congress government rules which disallowed construction of houses on single sites. “The BJP government had changed the rules by allowing owners of single sites to construct houses. The BJP government has brought in a rule which exempts 50 percent of penalty for sites above 6 cents and 25 percent exemption on site of 12 cents,” he added.

Ramesh informed that MUDA has taken up the Mangala Corniche road project for which it has identified a 43 sq km road under city planning. “MUDA is also planning to construct a garden at the old deer park in Kadri. The garden will have a musical fountain at a cost of Rs 1.24 crore and will be constructed by Nirmithi Kendra,” he added.

State legislative assembly deputy speaker N Yogish Bhat and MLC Monappa Bhandary were among those present.

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