Deccan Herald           04.12.2013

MCC to seek State funds to complete JnNURM works

In a move that suggests serious concerns about the financial health of Mysore City Corporation (MCC), the civic body decided to approach the Chief Minister for funds to complete several pending works under Jawaharal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM). The decision was taken at a council meeting held, here, on Tuesday.

The proposal was made following the guidelines by the Union Ministry of Urban Development, that no additional funds will be released for the completion of the first phase works under JnNURM. Officials admitted that there is a serious fund crunch, with the MCC requiring an additional Rs 189 crore for completion of works, especially the controversial 24x7 water supply scheme. The proposal will be made during the Chief Minister’s review meeting, scheduled to be held on December 13.

Earlier, during the meeting, corporators raised objections about the Detailed Project Report of 24x7 water scheme and blamed Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Board (KUWSDB) for under-estimating the cost of the project.

“Rs 20 lakh was paid to KUWSDB to conduct a survey about the required pipeline length and to ascertain the number of connections. 

Mayor N M Rajeshwari said, in case the Chief Minister declines to sanction the funds, the MCC will take measures to make KUWSDB pay for the shortage of funds, owing to gross under-estimation of the required cost of the project.

Voices were raised against seeking the required funds as ‘loan’ from the government. Responding to the objections of corporators, MCC Commissioner P G Ramesh clarified that no loans were sought from the State government, but only funds to complete projects.

The Indian Express            04.12.2013

BMC begins demolition drive at Mazgaon, cuts off water, electricity supply

Following a Supreme Court order on October 21, BMC Tuesday initiated the process of demolition of four dilapidated civic-owned buildings at Mazgaon, Tadwadi. The four-storeyed buildings — 13, 14, 15 and 16 — which form part of the BIT Chawl or Mazgaon Co-operative Housing Society comprising 16 buildings, were built in 1922 and house around 1,000 residents.

Six months ago, the BMC had issued notices to residents asking them to vacate the structures that have been classified as C1 category or 'highly dangerous and dilapidated' buildings. Residents, however, challenged the notice and took the issue to the Supreme Court.

More than 500 police personnel and 50 BMC employees as part of the demolition squad arrived the site at 11.30 am. Amid residents' protests, while the civic workers disconnected the underground pipelines, officials from the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking unplugged power supply to the buildings.

"All the buildings in this area are old, so why are we being targeted? We refuse to move out," said resident Kishore Parmar, also a member of the BIT Bachao Samiti.

On October 21, the SC ordered the BMC to demolish the run-down structures and rehabilitate its residents. "We will be shifting 100 families of buildings 13 and 14 to a transit camp nearby. The remaining 220 families will be shifted to our transit accommodation in Mahul," said E-ward officer, Sanjog Khabare.

"There are no medical facilities or schools in Mahul. Also it is the most polluted area. My child's school is nearby and his exams are round the corner. My family will have to spend close to Rs 200 every day commuting from Mahul," said resident Nitin Chandorkar of building number 15.