• No ladder-attached vehicles with MCC as RTO has seized two!
• Both vehicles were older than 35 years

Mysore/Mysuru: The Horticulture Department of the MCC is responsible for maintaining the trees by the side of the road and it has the regular job of pruning old and dangerous branches.

When Star of Mysore inquired about the unpruned branch that caused the death of Reginald Platel, MCC (Horticulture Department) Assistant Executive Engineer Madhukar shockingly responded, “We do not have vehicles equipped (fitted) with ladders for pruning these trees. The officers from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) have seized two such vehicles as they were over 35 years old and were unfit for   operations.”

“Our hands are tied as we lack vehicles and equipment for pruning tree branches. We have issued tenders for private parties to provide vehicles with ladders, but there has been no response from the public,” Madhukar explained.

However, he quickly clarified that they were unaware of the specific tree branch that caused the accident.

Puneeth, Assistant Director of the same Department, stated, “We typically conduct regular pruning of tree branches. However, we were unaware of the hollow branch on the Peepal tree near ‘Chandravana’, the Government Ayurveda Farm. Moreover, we have not received any public complaints regarding this matter.”

The post Call this governance ? appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Mysore/Mysuru: One of the measures taken by the MCC in preparation for the monsoon is the pruning of roadside trees, particularly at locations where there is a concentration of old trees.

Pruning is being done specially to avoid accidents as heavy trees tend to fall in inclement weather. The Corporation also prunes trees throughout the year to increase visibility of streetlights and avoid entanglements with electrical wires.

Some workers at ‘Chandravana’, the Government Ayurveda Farm, situated by the side of the spot where the accident occurred, informed Star of Mysore this morning that there were four large branches on the old Peepal tree, and two of them were hollow.

“Sometime back, the MCC teams cut off one hollow branch in half and left the other unattended, and it was this same branch that crashed down on the victim. If the workers had observed closely, they would have detected another hollow branch. There are many trees on this road with dangerously protruding hollow branches, but they have not been pruned,” they stated.

The post Two tree branches were hollow but MCC cut just one into half appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Mysuru: Following  Supreme Court order, Health Officer of Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has issued a set of norms to be followed by the people and cracker vendors alike in view of Deepavali festival from Nov. 11 to 15 in the city.

The MCC press release stated that the public are responsible towards abiding by Apex Court order to check sound pollution and air pollution due to bursting of various types of fire crackers considered hazardous to health. “It is permitted to burst crackers only between 8 pm and 10 pm, while it is totally prohibited to burst crackers during the remaining hours,” it added.

Barring green crackers, there is a total prohibition on selling and use of other types of crackers. While bursting crackers, precautions should be taken against harming animals, birds, children and elderly persons. There is no permission to burst crackers in and around the restricted zones such as hospitals and educational institutions and other restricted zones.

All green crackers and boxes bear the symbol of ‘green cracker’ along with a QR code and special instructions to public.

Special instructions to vendors

The godowns of cracker vendors will be inspected and sealed if any other banned crackers stock is found other than green crackers. The green crackers will be randomly collected and the decibel level will be tested in accordance with stipulated method and seized if found violating the norms. In case of any violation by selling and hoarding crackers other than green crackers, such vendors will be dealt under Environment Protection Act, added the press release from the MCC Health Officer.

The post Barring green crackers, other crackers banned for Deepavali: MCC appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Bengaluru: Stating that it has come to his notice that MCC vehicles repair contract has been awarded to a single party for the past five years without calling tenders, Urban Development Minister B.S. Suresh (Byrathi Suresh)  asked the MCC officials to submit a report in this regard in 15 days as he sensed lapses on the part of officials.

He was speaking after presiding over the MCC works progress review meeting at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Pointing out that the outstanding water bills due to the MCC stands at a whopping Rs.200 crore (inclusive of interest), Suresh said that most of the defaulters are from poor and Middle class families. “ The Government has plans to come up with a one-time settlement for defaulters for payment of their pending bills with interest waiver. The MCC should send a proposal in this regard”, he said.

Continuing, the Minister said that the MCC should expedite construction of Pourakarmika houses being built under Gruha Bhagya scheme. Noting that only 45 percent of the works have been completed regarding construction of G+3 Model houses for 158 MCC pourakarmikas, he wondered what was hindering the officials for completing the works when there was                                                   no dearth of funds.

“The MCC has 2.27 lakh taxable properties and the tax should be stipulated properly so that the MCC does not lose out on revenues. The MCC has set a Rs.162 crore tax collection and this may even rise to Rs.180 crore if there is proper tax fixation and collection. All the Zonal Officers should look at this prospect of revenues,” he pointed out.

The MCC officials sought permission for setting up two more Indira canteens in city in addition to the 11 that are in existence. In response the Minister said that the Government is committed for social justice and the Government has plans to increase the number of Indira canteens.

Referring to revenues from installation of hoardings, the Minister said that Mysuru is growing at almost the same pace of Bengaluru. Observing that Mysuru which is known as the city of Palaces, seems to be dotted by big sized advertisements boards, billboards, hoardings, flexes etc., Suresh said that it is not correct on the part of the MCC to have projected advertisement board earnings at just Rs.70 crore for the year 2023-24. He asked the MCC officials to revise the projection by fixing an appropriate fee for advertisement hoardings, which helps in revenue augmentation.

Maintaining that there are nine advertisement agencies in Mysuru, the Minister said it is not proper that only one of them take part in the tender or award the contract to the lone tenderer. The tender process should be such that everyone will get an equal opportunity, he noted.

Referring to streetlights issue, Suresh said that action should be taken if there are any lapses on the part of the contractor. Also, the officials should take immediate steps to fix potholes. He further directed the officials to introduce e-administration for addressing public grievances and complaints, he said.

Wanting to know why there has been a delay with e-Office software having been installed over a year ago, he said that action must be taken to ensure that e-administration is in place in a week.

Urban Development Department Secretary Dr. Ajay Nagabushan, Municipal Administration Director N. Manjushri, MCC Commissioner Ashaad-Ur-Rehman Shariff, Additional Commissioner Roopa and other officials were present.

The post Minister asks MCC to submit report on vehicle repair contract appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Mysore/Mysuru: The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has made special arrangements at all its nine Zonal Offices across the city, enabling the residents to pay Property Tax and Water Tax even during holidays. Today is Good Friday, a government holiday and tomorrow is second Saturday followed by a Sunday. This would result in a revenue loss for three days and there would be an extra rush of tax-payers on Monday at all cash counters.

Realising this, MCC Commissioner G. Lakshmikantha Reddy held a meeting with bank officers yesterday and convinced them to open the cash counters at Zonal Offices to facilitate payment for two days — Apr. 7 and Apr. 8.

“More and more people will pay Property Tax this month as MCC annually declares a five percent rebate on taxes if paid in April. Yesterday (Apr.6) saw heavy rush at all the cash counters and it will be further crowded on Apr. 10 (Monday). As such, we decided to open special cash counters for two days despite holidays,” Reddy told Star of Mysore.

Only cash payment service is available at all the MCC Zonal Offices with no other service and the facility will be closed on Sunday (Apr. 9). Skeletal staff have been appointed to receive cash, he said. Facilities have been made to remit cash and accordingly, the servers have been enabled to receive cash and print receipts, the Commissioner said adding that this facility apart, the tax-payers can also make use of online payment facility to pay their taxes.

Following the opening of cash counters, people were seen rushing to pay their taxes this morning and not to wait till the holidays are over. Drinking water and toilet facilities have been made at the MCC Zonal Offices for public convenience.

The post Long weekend: MCC opens special counters to pay taxes appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Mysore/Mysuru: In a swift action, the MCC authorities on Thursday stopped an unauthorised construction of a structure in Bogadi here.

Some persons had begun preparations for laying the foundation stone for a structure at a plot behind Sridevi Nursing Home in Bogadi second stage, when locals alerted the MCC authorities. Upon coming to know of the matter, the MCC Zone-3 officials led by Development Officer Satyamurthy went to the spot and stopped the construction as the builders reportedly did not have the MCC license.

The authorities warned them against continuing with the construction without sanction by the MCC. The Police provided security at the spot.

The MCC authorities said that any structure that is built without a Building License issued by the MCC is outrightly considered as unauthorised. Pointing out that locals are claiming that the construction is coming up on a Government land, they said it is learnt that the locals have also complained to the Tahsildar, following which a notice was issued to the builders. However, the builders are asserting that the land belongs to them and as such, they are  asked to resolve the issue and obtain MCC license before going ahead with any construction at the site, the authorities said adding that the construction has now been stopped after their visit to the spot.

The post MCC authorities prevent unauthorised construction at Bogadi appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Mysuru: Commenting on the MCC’s move to privatise the Mysuru city’s water supply network, Bhamy V. Shenoy of Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP), who was in charge of restructuring a gas company in Georgia which had similar problems like Vani Vilas Water Works, told Star of Mysore this morning that he would wholeheartedly welcome the move.

 “There is a desperate need to hand it over to a technically competent private company who have the infrastructure, past experience and the technical know-how. The company must also be ethical. The MGP has been advocating this concept of constituting an autonomous body for water supply without any luck for several years. We also know how MCC failed to use the hardware and software investment made by JUSCO. No one has been held responsible for such waste of public funds,” he added.

 “The MCC is grossly incapable of managing a highly technical operation like water supply despite having two huge rivers — Cauvery and Kabini — to meet the water needs. Forget 24×7 supply, the MCC cannot even manage water supply to certain areas once in three days. I am glad that the Mayor has thought of handing over the water supply to a private firm like the ones in Bengaluru and Mangaluru,” he said. Companies like TATAs and L&T have the credibility and infrastructure, he added.

 “But going by the past experience, I doubt if the MCC will agree for privatisation as it is the same civic body that opposed the setting up of Mysuru Urban Water Supply Board like the one in Bengaluru,” he reasoned.

 On the cost factor that is likely to be increased after privatisation, Bhamy Shenoy said that it is high time to form an autonomous body to manage water supply and the pricing. “An independent regulatory body or a commission like the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) can be formed to control the prices. Water supply cannot always be a monopoly. See how professionally the KERC manages the electricity tariff and supply. We need to replicate the model for water supply in Mysuru,” he explained.

The post ‘We need a professional touch without political interference’ appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Mysuru: Upset over delayed bill payments and other issues concerning them, the MCC Civil Contractors Association has urged the Civic Body to address the grievances of the Contractors, who are facing difficulties at various stages  of their work.

In a press release that contains a nine-point charter of demands, the Contractors wanted the MCC to procure key construction materials such as Cement, Tar, Bitumen, Steel etc., from Government Departments for them,  as they are facing difficulties over market price fluctuations, introduction of a pension scheme (monthly pension of Rs. 30,000) for Contractors aged over 60 years, payment of Rs. 25 lakh as compensation from the Contractors Benevolent Fund, to the family of Contractors who have died, abolition of e-procurement system for works costing less than Rs. 50 lakh and re-introduction of manual tenders for the same, introduction of slabs for GST as existed when the erstwhile VAT was in force, payment of bills within 30 days of submission, upward revision of  S.R. Rates from the next financial year and to ensure smooth supply of all construction materials for Contractors, among others, the release said. For details, contact Mob: 98459-06536.

The post MCC Civil Contractors Association demands redressal of grievances appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Mysuru: The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) will be conducting rapid midnight survey of homeless, which is a third person survey by NGOs that will be taken up under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM) 2021-22 Ashraya Sub-Unit to identify homeless people in MCC  limits. The survey will be held today (Dec. 29) and tomorrow (Dec. 30) from 11 pm to 4 am (overnight).

During the two-day survey, three NGOs will conduct survey at all the MCC Zonal Office limits. However, all the civic organisations, various Departments of the Government, Non-Government Self Help Groups, Community NGOs and general public are sought to make the rapid survey a successful one, according to a press release from the MCC Additional Commissioner.

The post Rapid midnight survey of homeless from today appeared first on Star of Mysore.

Dependency of borewell water in K.R. Constituency will be eliminated, says MLA S.A. Ramdas

Mysore/Mysuru: The ambitious plan of upgrading the 60 MLD (Million Litres per Day) of water to 120 MLD to supply uninterrupted water to Krishnaraja Constituency and South Western parts of Mysuru city by drawing more water from Kabini River is under progress at Bidaragodu Jackwell point near Nanjangud and the project will be completed by January 2023.  

The Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) launched the upgradation plan to make optimal use of the Bidaragodu Jackwell point to supply 120 MLD of water from the present 60 MLD. Once implemented, this will be one of the most ambitious drinking water projects to be taken up by MUDA in recent times.

Yesterday, Krishnaraja MLA S.A. Ramdas, Deputy Mayor Dr. G. Roopa, Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner G. Lakshmikantha Reddy visited the project along with MCC and MUDA officials and inspected the project progress.

Raw Kabini water up to 60 MLD — Kabini Phase-1 — is now being supplied after treatment and the project has the capacity to supply 120 MLD to 180 MLD. In the Phase II, additional 60 MLD is being taken up taking the total to 120 MLD, the MLA said in a press release.

The project is being implemented by the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB) and this will meet the growing drinking water demands. We inspected the ongoing work on the tube settler (capable of purifying 22 MLD) and rapid sand filter at the water treatment plant. MUDA has decided to install a 1,200 HP capacity motor to increase the pumping capacity enabling the plant to pump 120 MLD into Mysuru city without any hassles. Once completed, water will be supplied to all parts of Krishnaraja Constituency,” the MLA’s statement read.

Over 70 percent of the work on the tube module has been completed and over 40 percent work of the rapid sand filter has been completed. Ayyappa Constructions is executing the project and the contractor has assured that the works will be completed by the end of December.

“All the works will be completed by January 2023. In fact, the work should have been completed by September 2021 but was delayed due to various reasons. Once the project is completed, 18 to 20 MLD of additional water will be supplied to areas coming under Krishnaraja Constituency and the additional water (40 MLD) will be supplied to MUDA to be diverted to meet the drinking water requirements of areas that are outside the MCC limits but come under MUDA,” MLA Ramdas added.

Decommissioning borewells

Now that the Kabini Phase II project is becoming a reality, there is a plan to make Krishnaraja a borewell-free Constituency. There were over 584 borewells in the Constituency and 400 of them have been decommissioned and connected to parks. The remaining borewells will also be decommissioned in the due course.  “As of now, many parts of K.R. are getting 20 MLD of borewell water. Once the Kabini Phase II is fully implemented, the dependency on borewells will cease to exist and the borewells will be decommissioned,” Ramdas added.

MCC Commissioner Lakshmikantha Reddy said that the civic body has plans to eliminate drinking water supply through borewells in all Wards by January 2023. “We have already decommissioned about 400 borewells and 300 more will be disconnected in the coming months. We will retain around 300 borewells as a back-up in case of any emergency and to meet the water requirements of gardens and parks,” he said.

The post Drinking water to Krishnaraja, MUDA Layouts of South West Mysuru: Kabini Phase II to be completed by Jan. 2023 appeared first on Star of Mysore.