The Hindu 10.09.2009
CMC meet witnesses heated arguments
Staff Correspondent
Councillors express ire over non-release of funds for development work
Raichur: The general body meeting of the Raichur City Municipal Council (CMC) on Wednesday witnessed heated arguments between officials and councillors over non-release of funds for the proposed ward-wise development work in the city.
The meeting was chaired by president of the CMC A. Mareppa. As soon as the meeting began, Congress councillors, including Shivamurthy, Jayanna, Daroor Basawaraj and G. Thimma Reddy, expressed their ire over “inaction” by the officials concerned in releasing funds for the proposed development work.
The Opposition councillors told the meeting that the council in its previous general body meeting had approved a proposal to implement development work in each ward at a cost of Rs. 10 lakh. They alleged that CMC Commissioner Ramachandrappa and other officials had not released the funds as planned. This had resulted in delay in implementation of the works, they added.
Mr. Ramachandrappa told the meeting that implementation of any development work would mainly depend on availability of funds. He was not authorised to release Rs. 10 lakh to each ward for implementing the work as demanded by the councillors.
Expressing dissatisfaction over Mr. Ramachandrappa’s reply, the Opposition members sought to know why he allowed the council to approve the proposal in the previous meeting. They said that officials should implement the proposals approved by the council. Expressing dissatisfaction over the issue, Mr. Mareppa said officials should respect the decisions taken by the council and sincerely implement the proposals.
