Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Dec 1: "Grants have been sanctioned for works already executed under Ullal city municipality. Out of 27 wards of the municipal council, Rs 50 lac state finance commission special grant has been sanctioned to a single ward. As this is misuse of legal provisions, we will complain to the Lokayukta and Anti Corruption Bureau, asking them to probe into this irregularity," said opposition councillor in the council, Ismail Podimonu.
He was addressing a press conference at the BJP office at Thokkottu on Thursday November 30.
Ismail alleged that entire Ullal municipality is covered in corruption, irregularities and chaos. He accused the administration of owning discriminatory tactics and giving preference to selfish interests rather than general development. He said grants are not being released for development works in wards represented by opposition councillors. The local MLA interferes with even the routine work of the municipality and thereby infringes upon the rights of the municipality, he alleged.
He further said that it has been decided against the rules of council meetings to release grant for works already executed in ward No 25 our of State Finance Commission (SFC) funds. The irregularity is evidenced by the fact that although the issue was not discussed at the October 30 council meeting, grant was directly sanctioned for the work at the council meeting held on November 28. "It is clearly stated in the circular of urban development dated October 23 that estimate should be got technically evaluated, administration approval should be obtained from the deputy commissioner and then tender process should begin. In spite of this clear stipulation, the municipality is preparing to release money for works already executed. This is illegal. Two junior engineers and an assistant executive engineer of the municipality are involved with dereliction of duty," he claimed.
Opposition leader, Mahalaxmi, councillor, Meenakshi Damodar, Shashikala Shetty, Sooryakala Shetty, Sarita Jeevan and Jeevan Kumar Thokkottu were present at the press conference.