Hassan MP chairs progress review meet in Hassan municipality, upset with current situation

Hassan: MP Shreyas Patel has expressed his dissatisfaction with the Hassan Municipal Corporation hall saying it was embarrassing to look inside and outside the premises.

He spoke at a progress review meeting of various development works undertaken with the grants released under the 15th Financial Plan on Friday.

“Files are piled up everywhere inside the hall. There are no proper facilities, and the microphones are broken. Whatever my expectations were, they were dashed. There is no coordination between officials here,” he said.

He rued that the atmosphere in the municipality was not good. “There is no permanent commissioner. Nothing here seems right,” he said.

The MP, who was angry about the performance of some officials including health inspectors, warned that they should work with dignity so that no complaints were received. Otherwise, they would be transferred elsewhere.

“I warn all officials to work with respect for the people. Complaints have been received of corruption inside the municipal council and no one seems to be responding to the people’s problems. At the same time, allegations have also been

levelled against an officer named Dhananjaya saying he was giving “accounts” to those who gave him money,” the MP said.  

The MP has asked for a report to be filed against the officer.  Commissioner Ramesh has promised to resolve the issue within a week.

The MP also said despite shortage of staff, priority should be given to cleanliness in the city. Then the city and the municipality will get a good name. “I suggest that everyone work towards that aim,” he said.

Commissioner in-charge of the municipality, Ramesh, District Urban Development Cell Project Director Krishnamurthy, and AEE Channegowda were present in the meeting. All members of the municipality, from the JDS, were absent. There was a serious discussion on staff shortage in the Municipality as well.

The MP was told that there were currently 112 permanent civil servants, but the same number of posts were also vacant.  “142 people, including drivers, helpers, and loaders are working on an outsourced basis to dispose of garbage in 31 autos and 11 tractors. 25 villages come under the municipality. Therefore, the problems civil servants have on their plate is more than they can handle,” the MP was told. 

According to the current population, at least 400 civil servants are needed for better administration.
Members Santosh, R. Mohan and others said that there should be one civil servant for every 700 people. But there is only one civil servant for every 2,500 people.
This has created a problem in ward cleanliness, they lamented.