The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Official's attitude irks MCH standing panel

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Friday, Jan 07, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Official's attitude irks MCH standing panel

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JAN. 6. The Standing Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) and officials have crossed swords yet again.

The committee Chairperson and members abruptly adjourned the meeting before the agenda could be taken up, protesting against what they called officials' attitude here on Wednesday.

A resolution passed said that the committee would meet again on January 10 to discuss the corporation's budget proposals. It said that members had "expressed displeasure over non-submission of subjects required by members and submission of a preamble instead of a note by the Additional Commissioner of IT."

`Basic issues ignored'

Later, talking to presspersons, the Chairperson, Yasmeen Sultana, and Ward Committees' Chairpersons - Syed Yousuf, Mohd. Yousuf, Bharati and Yadagiri (the last two belonged to the Congress and the rest represent the Majlis), accused officials of not "forthcoming" on subjects pertaining to people's basic problems and taking up issues "relating to medical reimbursements and receipts/expenditures on the agenda."

"We have the powers, but they are usurped by officials. For nearly a year the election code has been cited for not taking up issues we have raised. But even after that they are not forthcoming on necessary information sought or implementation of schemes already cleared," they charged.

Ms. Sultana said the Standing Committee could well be dissolved if officials did not clear the resolutions it had passed and if the latter was deciding the agenda. "As elected representatives we are answerable to the public, but we have nothing to show on the ground as our achievements. The old city is especially being ignored," she said.

Road widening in the old city, the Charminar pedestrianisation programme, roads, sewer lines, drinking water facilities, development of playgrounds, drains desilting, etc., were among the issues that agitated the Standing Committee.

Corporators' fund

The Chairperson also regretted that corporators' fund of Rs. 10 lakhs per year had not been released for the last two years despite repeated reminders.

Ms. Sultana said community halls were in a bad shape and there were power dues of Rs. 17 lakhs. She pointed out that while clearances were given for purchase of road sweeping machines and metal waste bins at a total cost of Rs. 90 lakhs, officials were still to procure them.

The Standing Committee wanted to represent the matter to the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

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