Minister for Urban Development Vinay Kumar Sorake said on Tuesday that ward committees will be formed in the jurisdiction of Mangalore City Corporation by the end of this year.
Replying to questions at a ‘meet the press’ at Patrika Bhavan in Mangalore, the Minister said the committees would have to conduct ward sabhas at regular intervals to discuss the problems of residents and reach them to the corporation for redressal.
The minister said he had instructed the authorities of all city corporations in the State to form ward committees. The process of forming the committees was under progress in the jurisdiction of Mysore City Corporation.
He said the urban local bodies had been instructed to plan infrastructure projects considering the growth of cities in 2040. The main hurdle in urban development is lack of land and litigations relating to land acquisition, which delayed implementation of the projects. Hence urban local bodies have been instructed to keep a bank of land for implementing projects keeping in mind the growth of population at 2040.
Revolving fund
Mr. Sorake said the government had set up a revolving fund of Rs. 3,250 crore to help urban local bodies in need of fund for infrastructure development. The local bodies that required assistance under this fund could avail it in the form of loan at low interest rate.
To a question he said the government would make officials concerned responsible for permitting illegal constructions in urban areas.
Regarding Karnataka High Court order on September 5 staying the roster of reservation of the posts of Mayors and Deputy Mayors of some city corporations, including that of Mangalore, the minister said the State had filed an appeal with the court to vacate the stay.
