Silvester D’ Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, March 5: The ordinary council meeting of Kundapur municipal council was held at Dr V S Acharya auditorium here on March 4 which was presided over by council president Veena Bhasker Mendon. Widespread dissatisfaction about drinking water supply under the Jalasiri project was expressed in the meeting. The members said that works were not conducted properly in the project. “Though the officials are claiming that 92 percent work is completed, the road that is dug up is not closed yet. The interlocks that are removed are not laid back. The applicants are not provided water connection,” said members Mohandas Shenoy, Prabhaker, Ashwini Pradeep, Santhosh Kumar Shetty, Raghavendra Kharvi and Ashfaq expressing anguish. Mohandas Shenoy said that a water tank of capacity of five lac litres is leaking. “What is the solution to the issue that will create?” He asked.
Member Prabhaker asked the concerned to speak the truth about the project. “How long should the people drink salt water? Complete the work soon,” he said. Raghavendra Kharvi raised the issue of Jalasiri project at Maddhugudde. Girish asked to conduct the work properly. Ashfaq Kodi brought attention to the Jalasiri project at Kodi.
The members were not satisfied with the explanation provided by the officials. Chief official K Gopalakrishna said that the works will not be completed before March 31. As government’s money should not go to waste, a letter against the engineer will be written to the senior officials to take action against the contractors, he said.
Opposition to property tax:
Congress opposition members condemned the raise in property tax that was in force since 2005-06 without tabling the proposal in the meeting. They said that the matter should have been brought to the notice of other members. “You are burdening people during the corona crisis,” they said. The opposition members together with Chandrashekar Kharvi walked out of the meeting shouting slogans against the government.
Chandrashekar Kharvi urged to name the council main road after former MLA, former council president late Winnifred Fernandes considering her achievements and contributions to the council. President Veena Bhasker said that the matter will be brought to the notice of officials after the decision becomes unanimous. Prabhaker urged that the road should be named after B R Ambedkar.
Irregularities in drainage works:
Girish G K urged to complete drainage works as monsoon is approaching. “Identify the spot for disposal of trash. Otherwise, the issue will remain,” he said.
President Veena Bhasker said that the DC was requested for finalization of the spot. “The national highway authority will complete the flyover work by March 31 and service road work will be taken up on priority basis. Underpass will be made available for use from Arpil 1. Cases will be registered if the highway authority does not complete the work on time,” said chief officer Gopalakrishna Shetty.
Member Mohandas Shenoy and others urged to repair the service roads. Chandrashekar Kharvi was dissatisfied with the incomplete answers to questions raised by him regarding the education department. He said that separate staff should be appointed to clean the government school toilets. “It is not right to make students clean them,” he said.
Council vice president Sandeep Kharvi, chief officer Gopalakrishna Shetty and standing committee president Shekhar Poojary were present.
Standing committee was formed in the meeting and Shekhar Poojary was elected president unopposed.