Mangalore, Mar 23, 2013: The statement given by Congress party accusing Mangalore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) for not providing 3-5 cents of housing sites to the poor is absolutely bogus, said Ramesh S, chairman of MUDA.

Speaking at the press meet held at The Ocean Pearl on Mar 23, Saturday, he said that MUDA has been selected by government just before 15 months and is being giving the housing sites of 3-5 cents.

He said that none of the files on his table related to housing sites are kept pending. The public must know the actual fact of the work done by the MUDA and must not listen to the false statement given by the congress party in the form of advertisement in the newspapers to gain vote.

During Congress rule in the State in 2005-06, they made changes in the norms to all the authorities including land distribution which states that the beneficiaries of the housing sites must pay 15% of lands rate as a fee. But when the BJP government came into power, they cancelled the fee for 3 cents of sites, while 50% was reduced for 6 cents and 25 % was reduced for 12 cents of sites. This change in the norms is the contribution of BJP government to the poor and middle class people, he said.

He also said that, congress during the recent ULB poll published an advertisement stating that it is not possible to build a house in 3-5 cents sites. It was just a gimmick of the party to gain the public votes. This statement is absolutely false, since MUDA, has given license to 3124 single site, including 60% applications of 3- 5 cents land. MUDA is ready to discuss this matter with any of the congress leaders and challenge them to prove their statement wrong.

He also urged the public to ignore the false publicity statement given by the congress and said that house can be built in 1.33 cents land with 3ft wide road. If the public have any confusion regarding to the norms can contact MUDA chairman or members directly and collect information, he said.

Deputy speaker N Yogish Bhat said that the Kadri Park and deer park located opposite to it will be developed soon. MUDA in association with Nirmithi Kendra will upgrade Kadri Park with Musical fountain worth Rs 1.25 crore by the end of July this year, he said.

MLC Monappa Bhandary and BJP prachar pramukh Rajgopal Rai were present at the press meet.