Forum protests and demands formation of ward committees

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, April 21, 2016: As per reports, members of the Forum for Justice, Mangaluru, agitated near MCC, Mangaluru City Corporation office recently demanding formation of ward committees to facilitate people’s participation in civic governance.

At a time when Mangaluru is poised to become one of the smart cities, the ground reality has been pathetic with unscientific and insufficient garbage clearance and prevalence of Malaria etc, the Forum said. While the MCC spends over Rs. 1.5 crore a month for solid waste disposal, there has been no improvement in the cleanliness of the city. On the other hand, residents are forced to pay high  waste management cess with an average of Rs. 1,000 per household a year. SWM cess, based on floor area, is unscientific and it has to be reduced by 50 per cent, the Forum demanded.

The city is plagued with infrastructure deficiency with concrete roads having no footpaths, unscientific storm water drains, insufficient parking spaces and many more. A central bus station and a well-organised central market have remained a nightmare for the city, the Forum said.

While people’s representatives have remained mute to all problems, they are also not allowing public participation in civic governance, which is heinous.