Karnataka - Mysore   

Non-payment of rent by Congress sparks heated debate

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE, MARCH 31. The Mysore City Corporation Council meeting today witnessed a heated debate over non-payment of rent by the Congress for the building rented to it by the corporation at Devaraja Market.

Raising the matter, M.G. Mahesh of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said political parties should set a benchmark for others by paying the rent promptly. While the corporation has launched a drive to close down shops and business establishments that have defaulted on rent payment, no action has been initiated against the Congress for defaulting on payment of rent.

He said the matter has been discussed in the council several times. Even as the officials have launched the rent collection drive by closing the shops of defaulters, the Congress office is still functioning at the market. The officials should lock the office at the earliest.

Mr. Mahesh said: "When we are urging the citizens to pay property tax on time, they are questioning about the motive of the Congress in not paying the rent."

When the Mayor, Dakshinamurthy, announced that the dues towards rent is Rs. 2,250, the former Deputy Mayor Siddaraju alleged that the rent arrears accrued over the years is more than Rs. 90,000, and the officials have not taken any action. Intervening in the debate, the Mayor warned the member not to mislead the council by making false charges.

A few Congress members tried to pay the rent arrears during the meeting, urging the Commissioner, A.B. Ibrahim, to provide them with a receipt after taking the money from them.

The situation was brought under control when the Mayor requested the members to rise above party politics and concentrate on discussions pertaining to the development of the city.

Approval

The council approved a proposal to widen some roads in the city. Mr. Ibrahim announced that six roads will be widened on an experimental basis and 40 roads will be taken up later. The work will commence after the members conduct a spot survey.

The six roads are parts of Narayan Shastry Road, K.T. Street to Pulekeshi Circle, Azeez Sait Circle to B.N. Road, Tipu Circle to Bus Stand, Millennium Circle to Government Guesthouse and Vinoba Road to Sayyaji Rao Road.

Yashodamma, member, objected to the proposed widening of roads in old city stating that it will affect the heritage structures on Ashoka Road and Irwin Road. Many families will be affected because of the work, she said.

The council agreed to approach the Government to provide adequate relief to the families that will lose their property.

The council approved a proposal for comprehensive development of Ward 56 in Shanthinagar Layout to be taken up at a cost of Rs. 3.28 crores under a special grant from the Government.

The Minister of State of Labour, Tanvir Sait, mooted the proposal.

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