Mysuru: The issue of diesel theft from vehicles of Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) kicked up a storm at the Council meeting of MCC yesterday. Opposition (BJP) leader B.V. Manjunath raised the issue and alleged that diesel is being stolen and marketed outside by some unscrupulous elements and the videos of the theft is being widely circulated in social media bringing disrepute to the civic body, he said.

The meeting was held at Nalwadi Krishnaraja Hall under the chairmanship of Mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath. Manjunath said that though there were several complaints of diesel theft, the MCC has acted on it. Giving details, he said that videos of fuel theft on H.D. Kote Road and J.P. Nagar are circulating in the social media.

He said that a tipper belonging to MCC (KA-09-C-9915) was spotted parked on H.D. Kote Road on Dec.14, where diesel was being pumped out of the vehicle, filled in cans and being transported to other vehicles. “Contract driver Mahadeva and one more assistant were found selling diesel and I have submitted proof to Mayor and MCC Commissioner,” he said.

He demanded immediate registration of criminal cases against the accused. He also said that while accounting for the diesel and petrol at fuel pump inside the MCC premises, people managing the pump give excuse that a large amount of fuel evaporates during summer. “Looking at the way diesel is being stolen and sold openly, there must be an investigation into how much fuel is filled at the pump and how many litres have been utilised by MCC members and officials,” he said.

Manjunath urged the MCC authorities to install advanced technologies like biometric system and double locks to prevent fuel theft and ensure that there is   proper accounting while receiving fuel stocks and also while dispensing the same to the vehicles.

Injustice meted out to Pourakarmikas

Grave injustice is meted out to contract Pourakarmikas as their wages are cut even if they take sick leave. Manjunath said that while the MCC pays full wages to the contractor, the contractor cuts the wages of Pourakarmikas even if they don’t report to work for a day or two due to illness.

Corporator Arif Hussain drew the attention of the Council towards the damage caused to the roads by people who dig them up to insert shamiyanas. He said that many public and private events are held on the main roads and apart from inconveniencing road users, the organisers dig  holes to insert shamiyanas. This must be prevented and it must be made mandatory for event organisers to take permission from the MCC before digging holes, he felt.

Footpath vendor menace

Corporator Lokesh Piya raised the issue of several footpath vendors who are spoiling the beauty of the streets. He said that unregulated footpath vending was one of the main reasons for Mysuru to miss out on the Cleanest City Tag.

Vendors rule the streets, transforming main thorough fares into street food hubs, leaving behind mounds of garbage and blocking free movement of pedestrians and traffic, he said. Apart from residential areas, street hawkers occupy the main tourist thoroughfares and set up tents thereby blocking the roads and dirtying the whole atmosphere.

Pavements that are reserved for pedestrians have been usurped, be it the Sayyaji Rao Road, Raja Marga from the Mysore Palace to Bannimantap and even its extension till LIC Circle or footpath near T.K. Layout – almost all the footpaths have been occupied. He demanded the authorities to vacate the street vendors and shift them to designated street vending zones.

Bar near Zoo

Ward 52 Corporator Chayadevi raised the issue of a hotel near the Mysuru Zoo on Lokranjan Road being given permission by the MCC to open a bar and restaurant. She said that thousands of women and children come to the Zoo on a daily basis and opening a bar right near the Zoo will create more trouble. Also, this will sully the image of Mysuru that boasts of being a heritage and a clean city, she said.

Chayadevi demanded the MCC authorities to cancel the permission given to the hotel to open the bar and restaurant.

Rs. 35 lakh grant

Mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath announced a grant of Rs. 35 lakh for every ward for development works. The Corporators are expected to draw up an action plan for the works to be undertaken in their wards and tenders will be awarded. Payments will be made after three months of completing the works, the Mayor said. The grant came in response to the demand by several Corporators to release Rs. 1 crore to each ward as developmental works have come to a standstill.

New complaints app

Citizens need not visit their respective zonal offices in order to bring civic issues to the notice of the officials. MCC will soon introduce an app that will enable them to raise complaints directly with the officials concerned. The system is meant to ring in greater accountability since complaints will be stored on the app, and the response closely monitored by higher officers.

Residents were currently using the Swachhata App and there have been many complaints of technical glitches with the app. On how the new app would work, MCC Commissioner K.H. Jagadeesha said that once a user uploads problems on to the app, the official concerned is alerted and the official will have to address it within a stipulated time period.

The interactive app will be available across platforms and will enable residents to make suggestions on improving the city’s overall living standards.

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