BANGALORE: Upset with the "dictatorial" attitude of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) Commissioner K. Jothiramalingam, who has reportedly authorised a parking contractor to collect fee from motorists in Shivajinagar, Mayor Mumtaz Begum has said she will complain about this to Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.

"It is surprising that the commissioner has issued licence only for roads in my ward when the system has been scrapped from April 1, 2005. If the State Government wants us to reintroduce it, we will abide by the decision. But the commissioner cannot do this before a decision is taken," she said.

The Mayor said that when she sought an explanation from Deputy Commissioner (Markets) L. Srinivasaiah, he told her that the licence had been issued for collection of the fee near the Russell Market.

This was because the system was being continued in market areas.

"But the contractor has also been authorised to collect the fee on Broadway Road, which is not a market. This is `illegal' and I am sure it (the issue) will come up in a big way at Saturday's BMP Council meeting," the Mayor said.

Commissioner's reaction

When contacted, Mr. Jothiramalingam refused to comment on the issue.

"If the Mayor has told it, it cannot be wrong. I cannot react today because I have to look into the files, which are still with the Mayor," he said.

Sources in the BMP disclosed that Mr. Jothiramalingam was on his way out of the civic body.

"Mr. Jothiramalingam is likely to be transferred shortly, and that the former BMP Commissioner K. Jairaj is likely to replace him," the sources pointed out.

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