Mangaluru: The indefinite postponement of election to the posts of mayor and deputy mayor in Mangaluru, in the wake of a Supreme Court order has proved to be a hindrance for development works in the city. The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) is crippled due to non-existence of an active council with mayor, deputy mayor and four standing committees. The MCC is not able to take decisions on several proposals that require approvals from the standing committees and council.
Former mayor and Congress leader Shashidhar Hegde told TOI, “Any new development work needs to be cleared through the respective standing committees, and the same should be approved by the council too. Meanwhile, the council may also approve major proposals directly. Since the term of all the four standing committees have ended, the mayor cannot chair a council meeting. The mayor may approve very essential projects in anticipation of an approval from the council. Tenders can be floated, and work can also be commenced, but bills in such cases cannot be passed, till the project is approved in the council meeting.”
MCC commissioner Akshy Sridhar told TOI that he has sought clarification from the government to solve the crisis.
“I have sought a clarification from the government on conducting council meetings by the incumbent mayor, till the election is held. However, the government has not replied,” the commissioner said.
On development works in the city, the commissioner said the mayor may give in-anticipation approval for projects, but he cannot chair council meetings. “The same situation is prevailing in the city corporations of Mysuru and Tumakuru. They are also waiting for clarification from the government,” he added.
The term of 22nd mayor Premanand Shetty from the BJP ended on March 1, and election for the 23rd mayor was scheduled on March 2. However, the election was not held due to confusion regarding a Supreme Court order in a special leave petition related to reservation roster for city corporations in Maharashtra. Council meetings were not held in the MCC, after the one convened by Shetty on February 26.