MANGALORE: In politics it is natural for the opposition parties to launch a tirade against the ruling party. But in this particular case, the very partymen of the State Urban Development Minister Suresh Kumar, have turned up against him. The incident has only offended the minister in the presence of the Congress leaders.
The Minister while speaking at the progress review meeting held at the DC office recently had questioned as to what action the city corporation had initiated with regard to the unsatisfactory parking system and also with regard to the footpaths encroached by street vendors.
Deputy Commissioner Ponnuraj, responding to this had informed that several places in the city have been declared no-parking zones and pay and park zones.
On this occasion, MUDA chairman Madhava Bhandari alleged that parking problem has aggravated in the city leaving little space for pedestrians to move even on a busy street like MG Road.
Reacting to this, the minister directed the MCC commissioner to at least serve a notice to the shop owners who have encroached footpaths and parking space and then resort to eviction in case they fail to clear the place within the stipulated time.
However, the minister was in for a surprise when his directive invited a sharp reaction from none other than district minister Krishna Palemar and mayor Rajani Dugganna. The two replied that such an action can be thought of only after the road works in various parts of the city are complete. They also said alternate arrangements have to be first made to the roadside traders.
The Minister further expressed his resentment against the style of functioning of the MCC saying “Serve a notice wherever you find irregularities.” He surprised every one by saying “Have you ever tried to get feed back on your functioning? Don’t you have the desire to see MCC as the Number One City Corporation?.”
The comments only left his party friends in Mangalore aghast.
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