The new Mayor of Mangalore Mahabala Marla said on Thursday that the Congress will adhere to the promises made in the manifesto for the civic body’s election last year.
Asked how the Congress would react to the hike in property tax notified by the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) with effect from 2014-15 as it was against a promise made by the Congress in its election manifesto, the Mayor said a decision to this effect would be taken after the code of conduct ends.
He said that during his term, the MCC would have an administration that was agreeable to all. People’s problems would be addressed at the earliest.
Congratulating Mr. Marla after his election the Leader of the Opposition (BJP) in the council Premananda Shetty said the Mayor should not allow hike in property tax.
Some other BJP councillors and the Janata Dal (Secular) councillor Abdul Aziz M also sought withdrawal of the notification.
Mr. Shetty also urged the Mayor to review the decision of the corporation to collect trade licence fee based on the carpet area of the trade. The councillor from Alape South ward Vijay Kumar urged the Mayor to conduct a council meeting in Tulu.
The following were elected as members of the standing committees:
Taxation, Finance and Appeals Committee: Rajendra, Roopa D Bangera (all BJP), Jacintha Vijaya Alfred, Radhakrishna, Asha D’Silva, K. Rajesh and Shailaja (all Congress).
Public Health, Education and Social Justice Committee: Sudhir Shetty, Sumitra (BJP), Ashok Shetty, Appi, B. Prakash, Bashir Ahmed and Akhila Alva (Congress).
Town Planning and Improvement: Ganesh Hosabettu, Naveenchandra (BJP), D. K. Ashok Kumar, A. C. Vinayraj, D. Praveenchandra, Prathiba Kulai and Kavitha Sanil (Congress).
Accounts: Vijay Kumar, Surendra (BJP), Sabitha Miskith, Purushotham Chitrapura, K. Jubaida, Ratikala and Latha Salian.