Source : The Hindu Date : 26.06.2009
EOI: GVMC gives more time for developing sites
Staff Reporter
| CPI (M) and CPI members walk out of general body meet |
Number of hired vehicles to be reduced by 70
Former Mayor Hari actively participates in deliberations
VISAKHAPATNAM: A general body meeting of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation on Thursday decided to give one more month’s time for fresh applicants for development of its 10 sites in public-private partnership. The Expression of Interest (EOI) called for last year received 168 applications.
Reiterating their opposition to the PPP, the TDP, CPI(M) and CPI staged a walkout. The council approved allotment of an alternative site to a food court proposed on the Beach Road.
Expressing concern over the poor financial condition of the corporation, the meeting ratified Commissioner B.Sridhar’s decision to reduce the 92 hired vehicles by 70.
Members deplored the payment of Rs.69.73 lakhs towards settlement of bills to contractor of Swarnabharathi Indoor Stadium. Mayor Pulusu Janardhana Rao ruled that the files would be verified by a committee of floor leaders under the chairmanship of Deputy Mayor K. Dorabbai for further action.
The meeting also resolved to send a fresh request within 10 days to the Bar Council seeking names for appointment of six municipal standing counsel as per the roaster. Members expressed ire at cost escalation for the Jawaharlal National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) works in spite of appointing consultants for preparing detailed project reports even as corporators faced flak for not taking up small works. Cell towers would be allowed to be erected on one-time payment of Rs.50,000 (on buildings) Rs.1 lakh from the ground-level. The Mayor announced that the corporation would set up a statue of revolutionary Bhagat Singh.
Anakapalle MP Sabbam Hari faulted official ‘irresponsibility’ for the sorry state of affairs in the corporation. He said officials from other departments were coming on deputation to bleed the corporation. While opposing appointing a number of consultants, he wanted the expenditure on hospitality and phones to be put before the council.
Mr. Hari, a former Mayor, actively participated in the deliberations giving suggestions to the Mayor on various issues. Earlier, MLAs Tainala Vijay Kumar, Dronamraju Srinivasa Rao, Malla Vijay Prasad, P. Rameshbabu, M. Srinivasa Rao, Ch. Venkatramaiah were warmly welcomed.
