Madikeri: The City Municipal Council (CMC) is lagging behind in collecting water dues from households and around Rs 1 crore is due, according to CMC president Kaveramma Somanna.
Disclosing the information at the press club on November 22, CMC president said, the demand for water has increased considerably in recent times, but the public have not shown inclination towards payment of pending bills. Only 27.75 per cent of the total dues have been collected till date and the cumulative dues amount to Rs 137.55 lakhs in Madikeri CMC limits alone, she said.
However, CMC has showed good progress in the collection of Self Assessment Tax (SAS) by reaching 94.6 per cent of targeted amount with only Rs 9.23 lakhs pending.
The CMC, known for excellent revenue collection over the years has suddenly slipped from top slots to 11th position. Officials have been instructed to collect the dues immediately without causing inconvenience to the public, the CMC president said.
People can make payments using old currency notes till November 24 and to increase revenue collection a special meeting has been convened on November 29, Kaveramma reiterated.
She also said, arrangement have been made to construct a temporary sand bag embankment at Kundamestri, one of the main drinking water resources of the city. There is proposal to construct a permanent 3-mtr tall wall at the cost of Rs 3 crores to find a lasting solution to the problem, she clarified.
She exuded confidence in completing the new market project before the onset of next monsoon. The project taken up with an original estimate of Rs 3 crores is likely to overshoot by Rs 1 crore and will help general public as well as traders, once completed, she opined.
Delegation to meet CM to request for release of Dasara grant
The government had sanctioned Rs 65 lakhs towards Dasara celebrations in the city for the year 2016. The funds have not reached Dasara organising committee even after a month of completion of Dasara festivities.
A delegation of committee members in her leadership (CMC president is also the chairperson of Dasara organising committee) will meet the chief minister to request him to release the funds immediately once the current winter assembly session in Belagavi is over, asserted Kaveramma Somanna.
