Mysuru: The issue of the alleged indifference by the officers of the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) in carrying out civic works rocked the MCC Council meeting yesterday. Corporators, cutting across party lines, blamed the lackadaisical attitude of a section of MCC officers for many pending projects.

The Council meeting, held at the Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Hall, witnessed unruly scenes where Corporators blamed the negligence of officers when it comes to development. As soon as the meeting began, Corporators Mahadevappa, Prashanth Gowda, B.M. Nataraju, Nandeesh Preetham and Fairoz Khan raised the issues and took objections to the attitude of the officers and alleged that the officials were reluctant to work and listen to the people’s representatives. Mahadevappa, who is also the Health Standing Committee Chairman, alleged that no official is bothered to deliver efficient work. The officials are not preparing action plans, estimation of works on time.

Corporator Kempanna alleged that the officials have failed to take up development works due to administration lapses. He said that a majority of the officials do not respond to phone calls of Corporators. He asked Mayor M.J. Ravikumar to supersede the Council stating, “If officials are not listening to the people’s representatives and are not executing works efficiently, what is the use of the Council meet.”

Nandeesh Preetham alleged that the system has collapsed and Corporator Shoukath Pasha said that all Wards are facing Underground Drainage (UGD) system problems. “People question us and here we have officers who are lethargic and because of them, we are facing problems,” he said. However, the officials were defended by Finance and Taxation Standing Committee Chairman K.V. Mallesh who said that without funds, it was not possible for officials to take up the works. Mallesh asked the Mayor to release the funds.

Corporators also alleged that the MCC audits have not been conducted properly and the extension given to the Bengaluru-based audit firm by six months was opposed. In all, there are objections to Rs. 590 crore worth of development projects taken up by the MCC and Corporators blamed the officers who did not provide records for the audit team for the mess.

MLA’s advice to Corporators

At the Council meeting, MLA Vasu gave a pep talk for Corporators on how to behave inside the meeting hall and how to safeguard the dignity and decorum of the meeting. He also advised the Mayor on how to take control of the meeting and issue guidelines on the conduct of the meeting  to Corporators.

A former Mayor himself, Vasu took exceptions to murmurs of some Corporators that the MLA (Vasu) has come to give a pep talk, Vasu said that he was here not to preach anyone but was upset by the way the meetings are being conducted. “I am speaking out of experience. Before any Council meeting, the Mayor must meet the ruling and opposition leaders at his chambers. This is a traditional practice to avoid chaos and confusion,” he said.

Why cars only for Environment Engineers, question Corporators

Expressing dismay over the withdrawal of official cars provided to Chiefs of various MCC Standing Committees, Corporators questioned the civic body’s propriety in extending the facility to Environment Engineers.

According to them, there is no provision of vehicles for Environment Engineers, but the engineers have been using vehicles provided by the MCC. “We (Chairpersons) also tour the city and vehicles are very much needed,” they demanded.

The MCC had withdrawn the car facility to heads of five Standing Committees about three months ago. While the Councillors expressed their disappointment over the withdrawal of cars, Corporator Shivakumar said that the MCC Commissioner should discuss the matter before the MCC Council before acting on the Government instructions.

MCC Commissioner G. Jagadeesha said that he has written a letter to the State Government in connection with providing vehicles to the Chairmen of Standing Committees, but is yet to  receive a reply.

Advertisement hoardings to make a comeback

Outdoor advertisement hoardings are set to make a comeback. The MCC, which stopped issuing fresh licences for advertisement hoardings or renewing existing licences since April 2015, has now come up with a new advertisement bylaw comprising a revised fee structure for outdoor ads.

The free structure proposed by the Standing Committee on Taxation, Finance and Appeals came up before the meeting for approval. Members demanded a detailed discussion before the House gave its approval. Former Mayor Ayub Khan and Corporator Ravindra were against giving the approval in a hurry while former Mayor R. Lingappa opposed allowing advertisement hoardings.