In Mysuru, Karnataka’s Municipal Administration Minister HC Balakrishna, on Tuesday instructed officials from urban local bodies to focus on resource mobilisation and revenue collection, emphasizing that these steps are essential for the effective implementation of government programmes and development projects within their jurisdictions.
Chairing a meeting with urban local body officials from Hassan and Mandya districts at the Regional Commissioner’s office in Mysuru, Balakrishna noted that Union and state governments release 30% of project costs under various schemes for all urban local bodies and urged officials to mobilise the remaining resources, particularly through property tax and water tax, to ensure development works proceed smoothly.
He announced that the department will shortly issue an order allowing urban local bodies to develop private roads after bringing them under their control, and warned that serious action would be taken against any official negligent in recovering monthly rent from tenants.
Responding to complaints about the slow progress of drinking water supply and underground drainage projects, the minister said a special meeting involving officials, contractors, local elected representatives and MLAs will be convened soon to identify and remove obstacles to faster execution.
Balakrishna also said he will write to all Deputy Commissioners requesting the reservation of at least five acres on the outskirts of every town for allocating sites and constructing houses for pourakarmikas in each district.
Excise Minister and Hassan district minister KM Shivalingegowda highlighted the staff shortage in urban local bodies, affecting development work; Balakrishna directed officials to appoint staff on an outsourcing basis and to recall personnel working in other departments back to their parent departments.
The meeting was attended by MLAs A Manju and AB Rameshbabu Bandisiddegowda, along with Municipal Administration Director P Ravindra.