Mysore/Mysuru: Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Council meeting on Monday saw many Corporators criticising CESC (Chamundeshwari Electric Supply Company) for what they called unscientific laying of underground power cables.

Raising his voice against the works, Corporator V. Ramesh claimed that the work was unscientific and that the CESC authorities are digging the roads and laying power cables without ensuring safety of the people.

Stating that CESC has given contract to a private company to lay underground power cables, Ramesh alleged that the company has flouted all norms by laying cables along water pipelines and around Underground Drainages (UGDs).

Maintaining that despite repeated complaints, the authorities are reluctant to set right the issue, Ramesh alleged that the cables were laid without informing the MCC authorities.

The Corporator, who was joined by Sunanda Palanetra and M.U. Subbaiah reminded that CESC had registered a complaint against the MCC authorities as power cables were damaged during UGD and water pipeline maintenance works. They demanded that  unscientific works be stopped immediately and  top MCC officials be assigned for ensuring that.

After hearing the Corporators, Mayor Tasneem said that an appropriate decision will be taken after discussions with MCC and CESC officials.

Appointments illegal 

The Corporators also took severe exception to the appointment of 106 employees on contract basis, without permission of the Council. Maintaining that the MCC’s appointments were illegal, the Corporators demanded cancellation of the contract tender and to invite a fresh one.

MCC Commissioner Gurudatta  Hegde said that MCC had appointed employees to work at Vani Vilas Water Works (VVWW) and at other water pumping stations. Pointing out that a total of 106 employees were appointed through a fresh tender, he said that earlier, 68 of them were working under sub-contract for several years, which was illegal. As such, a fresh tender was called and 38 additional staff were appointed, he said and added that water supplies may be hit if they are terminated now.

The Mayor said the issue will be placed before Works Committee for a suitable decision.

Corporator and former Mayor Ayub Khan raised the issue of straightening the curved stretch of the road  on Naguvinahalli road. Pointing out that after the then District Minister G.T. Devegowda had directed the PWD to take up road straightening work at the deep curved stretch of Naguvinahalli road, he said that the MCC must give approval for handing over 2,100 sq.mts of land necessary for the works.

Mayor Tasneem said that the MCC was willing to give  necessary land and she would write a letter to the PWD in this regard.

Burial grounds 

Corporator Begum Pallavi, displaying an empty box, alleged that the MCC was not allotting any funds for the development of burial grounds in the city. Urging the MCC authorities to sanction funds for development of crematoriums and burial grounds, she  said that she would be forced to go on a public fund collection drive if the MCC failed to release funds.

Several Corporators wondered how Begum Pallavi could bring a box to the Council Hall, when they are not even allowed to carry a newspaper along with them. Defending herself, Pallavi said that she had not  brought the box for her own sake, but for the cause of the people, who are  seeking proper maintenance of burial grounds. Mayor Tasneem, who intervened, assured of doing the needful and directed her to leave the box outside.

Wheel chairs, sewing machines lying idle 

Sunanda Palanetra said that wheel chairs and sewing machines purchased a year ago have not yet been distributed to the beneficiaries. 

Claiming that the equipment are getting rusted at the godown, she urged the authorities to distribute them among the beneficiaries at the earliest.

Community Hall 

Corporator B.V. Manjunath alleged misuse of money in the construction of a Community Hall in N.R. Assembly segment and wanted the Government to order a probe in this regard.

Questioning the MCC’s move to construct an exclusive Community Hall for the physically challenged, Corporator P. Vedavathi wanted the MCC to utilise the funds in a more appropriate manner by extending facilities to the deserving. Opposition leader M.U. Subbaiah said now that  the MCC is earning revenues through property tax collection, the civic body should sanction Rs.50 lakh to each Ward for taking up development works.