Armed with a long list of issues afflicting urban infrastructure in the city, a group of citizens came together on Thursday to demand the setting up of ward committees that could monitor and rectify problems in their area.
Although still in the process of forming an umbrella organisation to cover all citizens’ organisations operational in the city, the members met at Don Bosco Hall to chalk out a plan for the setting up of citizens’ committees for all 60 wards in the city urban body. Through the committee, said the group, government works could be monitored, while issues could be taken up with the authorities more effectively.
“For a city having a population of 5 lakh, Mangalore has a lot of issues including improper or non-existent footpaths, badly constructed storm water drains, lack of playgrounds and parks and swimming pools, unscientific bus stands. For years we have been demanding a ward committee, but the MCC (Mangalore City Corporation) has not acted on it. However, with a High Court order mandating their formation, we have to ensure they are set up properly,” said D.S. Chandra, a labour leader.
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The group demanded that guidelines included nine members in the committee, ensuring that citizens from all age groups were represented.