MCC Commissioner Transferred Amidst Councillors’ Discontent

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 19, 2025: The State government on Saturday transferred C.L. Anand, Commissioner of the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), and appointed Ravichandra Naik, Special Land Acquisition Officer, Upper Tunga Project, Shivamogga, as his replacement. Mr. Anand has been reassigned to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms with immediate effect.

The transfer comes amid mounting tensions between Mr. Anand and city corporation councillors across party lines regarding the release of area development funds. With the five-year term of the council set to end next month, councillors had raised concerns at the January 4 council meeting, demanding the immediate release of ₹1 crore per councillor, as announced by former Mayor Sudheer Shetty Kannur.

Mr. Anand, however, insisted that funds would be disbursed based on project priorities and fund availability. Dissatisfied with his response, councillors expressed their displeasure by rushing to the Well of the Council during the meeting.

Adding to the controversy, Abdul Rauf, a Congress councillor, accused Mr. Anand of irregularities during the same meeting. While the allegation was met with silence from other councillors, implicitly signaling approval, Mr. Anand refuted the claims, stating they were baseless. He assured transparency, emphasizing his openness to any inquiry as a public servant.

The replacement of the MCC Commissioner is expected to influence the resolution of pending issues as the council’s term nears its conclusion.