Mangaluru : MLC Ivan D’Souza has suggested Mayor Jacinta Vijay Alfred to consider alleged tax money transfer cheats through Mangalore One centres seriously and file criminal case against the culprits. A special team should be formed to investigate the whole issue, he said.
Speaking at Mangalore City Corporation council meeting at Mangala Auditorium here on Tuesday, he said special committee should investigate entire tax collection process of the corporation as there are many allegations from public.
MCC can consider tax collection through direct transfer of tax money to the corporation account in future, he suggested. He also assured of raising the issue at Legislative Council.
Earlier, former mayor Mahabala Marla raised the issue and alleged that tax collected through Mangalore One is not getting transferred to MCC account even after a month. Superintend Engineer Kantharaj said transactions at Mangalore One centres have not been registered in computer, which has been created strong doubts about misappropriation by CMS company.
MCC has decided to consider the request of the company for another centre in the city, only after proper investigation. MCC Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati and Mayor promised of proper investigation on the issue.
MCC Commissioner opined that Town Hall is a classic example for to delay a one month work to one year, but didn’t make any assurance. MLC Ivan D’Souza said that Town Hall is pride of the city. Rather than finding reasons for its fate, the corporation should renovate it at the earliest.
The Commissioner should interest as it is the work of public importance. Opposition Leader Premananda Shetty said that engineers are working just for the show. At least the MCC should fix chairs in the hall so that one can conduct any programme.
Corporator Vijay Kumar Shetty alleged that waste management is not being done properly. A C Vinayraj said door-to-door waste collection is being done in the heart of the city itself. Though contract is with a Mumbai based company, their local representatives are not doing work. Though the monsoons are at the corners, gutters are filled with plastic. Waste is not being collected even from public dump yards, he said. The Mayor said the corporation has paid only 58 per cent of the total amount to the company.
The Commissioner said that the proposal worth Rs six crore of the corporation for the year 2014-15 will be added to 2015-16. The corporators have got Rs 15 lakh for the development of their wards for the year 2014-15. The problem in the system should be corrected for the proper utilisation of fund. So, in future, information on the development works of various wards and their name, stage would be uploaded to the MCC website, she said.
Premananda Shetty alleged that funds for welfare of SC/ST are not being utilised properly in Mangaladevi ward. The Dalit families didn’t get title deeds. Few colonies have transferred into slums without fund. The Commissioner said that the corporation is ready to give 20x 30 sites. Under Vasati Bhagya Yojane, they can get financial assistance or house, she said. Few Corporators alleged of chicken waste in drinking water supplied by the corporation in some parts.