M’lore: MCC to launch drive against illegal banners, buntings and kiosks from tomorrow

The Hindu

Mangalore, 01 June 2014: Mangalore City Corporation is geared up for a major crackdown on unauthorized banners and buntings that dot the city’s landscape starting Monday. In addition, unauthorized road side petty shops that function from footpaths or eat in to vehicle parking space too will be the radars of revenue staff of the civic body, who have been authorized by the commissioner Ajith Kumar Hegde Shanady to act with sense of determination.

 

Intervening in a debate on the city’s cleanliness during question hour in the first general meeting of the newly constituted council of MCC, the commissioner replying to a query raised by BJP corporator Poornima said, "I have instructed all officials to switch off their cellphones while carrying out the drive." Requesting corporators not to intervene in the drive, Ajith Hegde said this effort will be taken up with sense of determination this time around.

 

Noting that unauthorized banners and buntings, and unauthorized shops have started rearing their head in the city post-elections, commissioner said the action will be directed at all such illegalities irrespective of any religion or faith. The city wore a clean look in the run up to the general elections as the authorities took strict action against such developments and the drive from Monday will be carried out in the same verve, the commissioner assured.

 

When Tilakraj, corporator pointed that few beneficiaries of schemes offered by social welfare department too were found sub-letting kiosks allotted to them in prime locations, Ajith said taking action against them should not be much of a problem. "The numbers (of such kiosks) and their locations are available with the department," he said, adding necessary action will be taken against those found violating the guidelines laid down in the scheme.

 

Prathibha Kulai, Hosabettu ward corporator, too, sought action against shops and business establishments that she alleged were illegally expanding their business area. Raising the issue of dues of up to Rs 20 lakh from tendering process in Suratkal market, Pratibha sought to know why action had not been initiated on errant vendors. Ajith said he has directed revenue officials to go in for revenue recovery if the dues were not settled within a week.