Urban News

Source : The Hindu Date : 28.06.2009

CMC authorities not cooperating in probe’

Staff Correspondent

Bijapur: Owing to the lack of cooperation from the Bijapur City Municipal Council authorities and staff, the police have been unable to trace the miscreants responsible for the attack on CMC meeting hall on June 23. The police have interrogated 14 persons in connection with the incident including Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S) State unit secretary Bandenawaz Mahabari, who led the protest to demand proper drinking water supply in the city on the day of the incident. The police also interrogated four other JD(S) workers.

Anti-social elements had made an attempt to set fire to the City Municipal Council (CMC) president’s chair at the meeting hall during a protest rally organised by the Janata Dal (S) district unit to bring pressure to bear on the CMC authorities to supply drinking water regularly.

Additional Superintendent of Police F.A. Trasgar told The Hind u that police officials were unable to make any progress in the case because of the non-cooperation of the CMC authorities and councillors. It would not be possible to trace the culprits without their support, he added.

Though it was the responsibility of the CMC authorities to restrict entry of unauthorised persons into the meeting hall, the police had suspended sub-inspector Brijesh Mathew on charges of dereliction of duty. However, the CMC authorities had not initiated any action against the staff responsible for maintaining the meeting hall and the documents, he said.

The CMC councillors, who were present during the incident, had been avoiding police officials, he added.

Only Clue

Mr. Trasgar said that the only available clue with the police was a video clipping taken during the JD(S) protest in which three unidentified persons were seen walking about outside the CMC meeting hall.

However, both the CMC authorities and the JD(S) workers were unable identify these persons during the interrogation as their faces were not clear in the video clipping, he said.

Source : The Hindu Date : 24.06.2009

Ilambarthi takes over as Municipal Commissioner

Staff Reporter

GUNTUR: Municipal Commissioner K. Ilambarthi took charge on Tuesday and immediately made public his priorities -- ensuring access to drinking water and improving sanitation and garbage collection. The new Commissioner also said that top priority would be given to addressing issues relating to the people and assured that he would be accessible to residents of the city at all times.

The incumbent exuded confidence that the Guntur city would get a face-lift with liberal central funding to the tune of Rs.500 crores with which the GMC could take up works relating to putting in place a comprehensive Under Ground Drainage (UGD) system and drinking water project.

Financial condition

Earlier, Mr. Ilambarthi was given a briefing by outgoing Municipal Commissioner Siddharth Jain over the state of affairs in the corporation. Mr. Jain appraised the new Commissioner of the financial condition of the corporation, which was pulled back from the brink by assiduous financial management and the functioning of various departments.

Mr. Jain, who took over as Municipal Commissioner in July 2007, had just meagre finances of Rs.82, 891 (current account) and with liabilities over Rs.30 crores, but managed to achieve a turnaround by augmenting revenue collection.

The GMC has given sanction for 832 works worth Rs.35.15 crores during 2008-2009, out of which 544 works with an amount of Rs.16.08 crores were completed.

In the year 2009-2010, the GMC has given sanction for 70 works at a cost of Rs.3.46 crores, out of which 20 works were at tendering stage.

“The financial condition of the GMC is very sound and I am confident that Mr. Ilambarthi will continue the good work and delivery of public services,” Mr. Jain said.

In a touching gesture, Mr. Ilambarthi escorted Mr. Jain till the car and bade him good bye.