Karnataka - Hassan   

Tank issue leads to altercation between CMC members

By Our Staff Correspondent

HASSAN, JUNE 8. The controversy over the century-old Chennapatnakere Tank on the outskirts of Hassan city led to an altercation between members of the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) at a meeting of the Hassan City Municipal Council here on Monday.

H.K. Mahesh of the Congress, who raised the issue of rejuvenating the tank, alleged that though the tank had been breached years ago, attempts had not been made by the authorities concerned to develop the command area of the tank.

H.R. Nagaraj, who endorsed Mr. Mahesh's views, said a few leaders had done injustice to the city by breaching the tank.

Interrupting the discussion, C.R. Shankar of the Janata Dal(S) appealed to the members against mentioning the names of the leaders and said the decision to breach the tank was taken when H.S. Krishna Murthy was the Municipal President in view of the pollution and health hazards the tank posed. However, the other members demanded that the tank be rejuvenated.

Pacifying the agitated members, the Municipal President, G.T. Kumar, said in the changed political scenario, it was not proper to blame leaders of any political party now.

It was imperative to pass a resolution with regard to saving the tank, as the water level was depleting, he said.

Recalling the contribution of Mr. Krishna Murthy, the MLC, S.M. Anand, said he was the Chairman of the Hassan Urban Development Authority when Mr. Krishna Murthy was the Municipal President.

There were attempts to save the tank by creating islands then and a resolution had also been passed. However, the tank was breached for obvious reasons, he added.

The Municipal Commissioner, B.A. Paramesh, told the members that attempts were being made to rejuvenate the tank and the Lake Development Authority was keen on rejuvenating the tank. A Rs. 5-crore proposal had been submitted to the Union Government, through the State Government.

Two-third share of the amount needed would be released by the Union Government and the balance by the state Government. The release of funds was delayed because of the election and fresh attempts would be made to get funds for the project.

Refused

The members refused to pass a Rs. 22.57-crore action plan formulated by the officials saying that it had been done without their knowledge and urged for a new action plan.

Despite Mr. Paramesh's clarification that the model code of conduct did not allow them to present the action plan, the members demanded that a new action plan be prepared.

Yielding to the pressure, Mr. Kumar agreed to the demand.

The members also expressed dissatisfaction over the low construction quality of the new meeting hall of the Municipal Council.

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