The Hindu 08.11.2009
Deputy Mayor flays GVMC functioning
Staff Reporter
Leakages should be plugged before increase in taxes, he says
Biometric system to check absence of sanitation workers favoured
VISAKHAPATNAM: A sharp attack on the laxity in the functioning of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation by Deputy Mayor K. Dorabbai marked the general body meeting on Saturday. He wanted to know whether the council was the final authority on policy issues or the Standing Committee (of which Mayor Pulusu Janardhana Rao is Chairman) with particular reference to leasing out land at Kapuluppada to a private company for converting municipal waste into compost for three years. The council was being ignored, he alleged.
A host of other issues Mr. Dorabbai raised included the delay in implementing global positioning system (GPS) to arrest revenue leakages and increase it by 300 to 400 per cent, the council resolution terminating the tenure of municipal standing counsels not being implemented, the ‘irresponsibility’ in the information technology wing to effect wrongful transfer of property and renewal of the lease of a petrol outlet at Chavulmadum and matsyadarshini aquarium. He wanted all the questions to be answered in writing by officials. He faulted MAUD officials for issuing “useless” GOs on extension of lease. While taxes should be increased before that leakages should be plugged and ‘thieves’ should be caught.
‘Mayor misled’
Even as he regretted that he was forced to question the Mayor, he charged officials with misleading the Mayor. The way the corporation machinery functioned gave room for corruption charges against him and the Mayor. This led to CPI(M)’s Botta Eswaramma accusing the two of doing a cover-up to hide the failures during the current tenure of the council.
Mr. Dorabbai wanted the corporation to introduce biometric system to check absence of sanitation workers. Also the resolution opposing tax exemption to Gangavaram port should be pursued. Instead of shifting sewage treatment plants to Narava they should be taken up at Gopalapatnam and in the port site saving about Rs.40-50 crores to the port.
The steel plant should spend 70 per cent of its CSR funds here. Besides, a quick decision should be taken on providing houses to those affected by BRTS for quick implementation of the project.
Mr. Dorabbai who shot off a letter to the Commissioner stated that he was pained that he was not invited to programmes and the Commissioner gave a detailed reply to the issues raised by him in writing.
