Road Renaming was Done the Right Way & Not Undemocratic with Cheap Politics as Alleged’- MCC

Road Renaming was Done the Right Way & Not Undemocratic with Cheap Politics as Alleged’- MCC

 Mangaluru: In response to the allegations made during the press meet by St Aloysius Institutions on Wednesday 23 September, that renaming of Light House Hill Road aka St Aloysius College Road to ‘Mulky Sunder Ram Shetty Road’ was in a shameful undemocratic and cheap politics, Senior BJP leader Premanand Shetty, also the Chief Whip in the MCC Council, addressing the media during a press meet held at MCC Conference Hall said, “The allegations made by the management of St Aloysius Institution has hurt us very much. Decision was not taken overnight in renaming the said road. We have followed all the required procedures, and it should be noted that quite a few roads were renamed during the Congress and BJP rule, without any controversies and also decisions taken unanimously in that regard. So why all these allegations and controversies arising now, when this road was renamed”

He further said, ” When a proposal is made for renaming a road, there are few procedures to be followed, and this case we have gone by procedures and rules, and we have all the proof. The whole procedure takes almost a year, and if any objection is raised, a meeting will be arranged to sort out the differences and then decide further action. But in the recent road renaming case, no one raised any objection, and we had also called for a meeting in February 2020 between the concerned parties, and since there was no response, we forwarded the decision to the government, and everything was done systematically and not done in a undemocratic way, nor it was finalized overnight”

Also speaking during the press meet, MCC Mayor Diwakar Pandeshwar said, ” We urge the people to pay their property tax by September 30, in order to avoid paying the penalty. This extended time for payment was done in the wake of lockdown, and the extended time was done twice, but 30 September will be the final payment date. Even payment of water bills should be done soon. Since there had been few complaints in billing of water charges, we have decided to hold a water Adalat in October to settle these issues. Based on many complaints pertaining to illegal hoardings and banners, we had given three days time to those who had put them up, and after three days we removed all the illegal publicity materials. But in case, someone wants to put up a important hoarding/banner they need to get prior permission from MCC. Very soon we will start evicting street vendors doing illegal business on footpaths, thereby obstructing commuters

Mayor further said “During the recent MCC council meeting held on 22 September, revised water fares have been finalized- they are : For 0-10 kilo-litre will be Rs 6 per kilo-litre; 10-15 kilo-litre – Rs 7 per kilo-litre; 15–25 kilo-litre – Rs 9 per kilo-litre, 25-30 kilo-litre – Rs 11 per -, 30 kilo-litre and above – Rs 13 per kilo-litre. Citizens also should make a note that we have revised solid waste disposal fees, where earlier properties up to 500 sq feet built-up area had to pay Rs 50; properties from 501 sq feet to 1,000 sq feet was Rs 75; and properties from 1,001 square feet to 1,500 square feet was Rs 100. Now, the revised fees are: properties up to 500 sq feet built-up area have to pay Rs 30, properties from 501 sq feet to 1,000 sq feet is Rs 60; and properties from 1,001 square feet to 1,500 square feet will be Rs 80,”

Speaking on the renaming of Lady Hill Circle to Shree Narayana Guru Circle, Mayor said that the decision will be taken during the next committee/council meeting in October. Mayor also said that people have been seen moving around without wearing face masks, and MCC will fine them for flouting the Covid-19 rules. He urged the people to take precautions, due to the spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths related to the virus. During the press meet, Mayor was joined by Deputy Mayor Mrs Vedavathi, corporators Mrs Poornima, Sudhir Shetty, Monohar Shetty, among others.