‘Glad to Note You All Care for City’s Civic Issues’- DC to Bevy of MCC Civic Group Members
“Glad to Note You All Care for City’s Civic Issues”- Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil to Bevy of MCC Civic Group Members, when they had met the DC in his Chamber on Wednesday 17 July evening. “I will arrange a workshop soon involving officials from Smart City Development Project committee, District Administration and Mangaluru City Corporation, where I request you all to come in large numbers and interact with these officials to sort out your civic issues and rectify them” added DC.
Mangaluru: It was one of the effective and worthwhile meetings that a few members of MCC Civic Group had when they had visited Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil’s Office to submit a memorandum comprising of certain civic issues, and also to discuss those with the DC. And the present DC, being the BEST among the all DC’s Mangaluru has seen so far, was very Polite, Humble, Friendly, Cooperative, Jovial, Understanding and Obliging is listening to the grievances of the MCC Civic Group members, and assured them all support from his side, in rectifying the civic issues to the best of His abilities at the earliest.
“I very well know that the Smart City has lots of Civic Issues which are not handled properly and in a systematic way by the concerned authorities of the Smart City Development Project Committee. Sorry to tell you that I was not assigned an Administrator post in that committee, so I can only do what the best I can do to solve certain civic issues. But I am glad to note that You all care for the City’s Civic Issues, to make Mangaluru a Better, Safe and Environmental Friendly City to live. Next time come in large numbers, when I arrange a workshop involving officials from Smart City Development Project Committee, District Administration, and Mangaluru City Corporation, where you can put forth your grievances and civic issues complaints to these officials, so that a proper solution could be chalked out to rectify all those civic issues. You people are doing a good job for the betterment of the City. Keep up the good work, and see you all soon for the Workshop” added DC Senthil.
Among the members who met the DC, to name a few were- Er Rajendra Kumar, Padmanabh Ullal, Gerard Towers, Francis D’souza, G K Bhat, Suresh Udupa, Jonas D’souza, B P Acharya, Arthur D’souza, among others. Several civic issues pertaining to water scarcity, falling old tress, unscientific roads, drainage and footpaths, traffic menace and parking, builders flouting rules, illegal street vendors creating a havoc, irregular waste collection by the Waste Collecting firm, and many other issues were put forth to the DC, who patiently listened and assured the appropriate results from his side at the earliest.
It should be noted that MCC Civic Group is a public forum which is actively involved in creating awareness and taking up civic issues that require attention. The press meet was called to let know the public through the media that our Forum will file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) for not forming the much-needed ward committees. It should be noted that Ward committees are a pre-requisite for cities, which have a population over three lakhs, and the cities which come under the Smart City project. But unfortunately, Mangaluru City Corporation has failed to form ward committees in its 60 wards, in spite of many past reminders and protests from various activists of many organizations. In that respect, MCC Civic Group had already filed a case in the High Court, followed up by a renowned advocate in Bengaluru, and in the nearest future, Mangaluru City could see Area Sabha and Ward Committees.
In the letter submitted by the MCC Civic Group activists to DC Sasikanth Senthil, comprised of the following :
1. It is reported in the media that drinking water to the tune of 400 lakh liters is being wasted by MCC in water distribution. Till date, no specific action is taken by MCC to minimize this wastage.
2. It is well known that solid waste disposal is not being carried as per contract and thus resulting in people are suffering from various diseases. The administration has not taken any measures on this aspect.
3. It was reported in the media that the citizen committee is being formed to associate with smart city development. So far there is no news about the same.
4. In spite of government directives to have Area Sabha and Ward Committee at ward level, MCC commissioner has failed to act upon this.
5. During KUDCEM project there used to be regular interaction with local citizen groups, NGO’S. This practice is being discontinued. We request you to issue directions to KUIDFC, SMART CITY, MCC, KUWSSB, MUDA COASTAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD officials to keep their activities posted to the local public and NGO’S. We also request you to take disciplinary actions against the erring officials.