Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)
Bantwal, Jun 21: The ruling party and opposition party members in the municipal council general meeting here on June 19 urged for ban on factories manufacturing plastic products instead of targeting poor shop keepers.
Standing committee president P Vasu Poojary took up the subject in the meeting chaired by municipal council president P Ramakrishna Alva after restrictions of Election Code of Conduct were removed. Referring to the recent raid by the council officials he asked them to close the factories if possible. “What is the purpose of raids on petty shops and shops in the council limits?” he asked. BJP member B Devadas Shetty and SDPI member Monish Ali who supported him said that a clear policy should be followed about it. “The well being of poor shop keepers should be protected. Write a letter to restrict manufacture of plastic products,” they said. Member Chanchalakshi said that plastic products are being manufactured in Panemangalore.
The council meeting in its efforts towards plastic free Bantwal practiced the formula by supplying mineral water in glass bottles instead of bottles made of plastic. Vasu Poojary commended the change.
President Ramakrishna Alva tabled the proposal of laying interlock under B C Road flyover using SFC residual funds. BJP and SDPI members consented to it. However, members Praveen and Gangadhar objected to that saying that the work can be done by highway authority. The president said that the base of flyover will be beautified like in Kottara and Surathkal.
Parking problems
Though parking problem came for discussion again, it failed to arrive at a logical end. “Where is the place for pay parking?” asked Mohammed Sharif. “Have you given permission for parking under the flyover?” asked Pravin. There were arguments about it between ruling party members and the president.
Praveen asked if the charges for water supply are increased and asked for clarification. Chief officer Rekha J Shetty clarified that there are nearly 6,300 water supply connections. Rs 80 are charged for residences and another Rs 10 as service charges.
Member B Devadas Shetty spoke about frequent power cuts in the council limits and complained that the work that should have been completed before the monsoons is not completed by Mescom yet. The chief official said that besides this, meetings of PWD, Mescom and traffic police will be held to find solutions for problems.
Shobhalaxmi, assistant engineer of water supply and drainage board, informed that 86 kilometers long pipes out of 90 kilometers long pipelines necessary for drinking water are already laid. “The work cannot be continued due to rain. Water will be supplied to those who have officially received pipelines for the time being.” Members obtained other details about supply of drinking water from the engineer.
“Who prepared the council's reservation list? It is not prepared properly,” said SDPI member Munish Ali. Other members also supported him. “There are several mistakes including division of wards. Its review is essential,” said Devadas Shetty.
The meeting was held in the presence of Bantwal MLA Rajesh Naik. Members Mohammed Iqbal, Gangadhar, Jagadish Kunder, Chanchalakshi, Munish Ali, Suguna Kini, Bhasker Tailor, B Mohan and Praveen took part in different discussions. Vice-president Mohammed Nandarabettu and standing committee president B Vasu Poojary were present. Chief official Rekha J Shetty welcomed.