The Hindu : Chaos in TMC meet over restaurant licence

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Chaos in TMC meet over restaurant licence

By Our Staff Correspondent

MADIKERI March 31 . For the third time in the past three months, the Madikeri Town Municipal Council (TMC) meeting was plunged into chaos following heated arguments between the Opposition BJP and the ruling Congress, with the former demanding to know why a unanimous resolution passed in the previous meeting to cancel the licence given to a restaurant in the town was not implemented.

When the agitated BJP Floor Leader, S.C. Subramani, K.S. Ramesh, Shajeel Krishnan, and others sought an explanation from the TMC President, Kaveramma Somanna, he was told by the Chief Officer of the TMC that the Deputy Commissioner had suspended the implementation of the resolution passed by the TMC. Monty Ganesh of the BJP said the DC's letter suspending the resolution was issued on March 31, and wanted to know why the resolution was not implemented in the past one month.

Mr. Subramani questioned the delay in implementing the resolution. He alleged that certain plumbing works had taken place in his ward without his knowledge and sought action against those who sanctioned the work.

Countering a statement from K.U. Abdul Razak of the Congress, Mr. Shajeel Krishnan said the arguments should not involve accusations based on personal differences.

When the issue of certain works came up for discussion, Ms. Somanna was shouted down by A.C. Devaiah (Janata Parivar), who said she, being the TMC President, had to accept responsibility.

Nanda Kumar of the Congress said the DC had not been properly briefed about the matter, which resulted in the suspension of the resolution.

Mr. Ramesh said the BJP was not against the restaurant being run, but the issue concerned the legality of the building housing the restaurant. Ms. Ganesh alleged that the construction of the building was illegal.

B.A. Ramaiah of the Congress was heard saying it would be apt to constitute a committee comprising members from all political parties to look into the matter.

The Chief Officer clarified that the TMC either could regularise the building or demolish it if it was found in violation of the TMC regulations. The Vice-President of the TMC, T.M. Aiyappa, concurred with the idea.

The meeting decided to constitute a 13-member committee to ascertain the facts with regard to the building, before proceeding with the idea. Ms. Somanna, T.M. Aiyappa, B.A. Ramaiah, Tahira Hafeez, K.U. Abdul Razak, Nanda Kumar, and Kumuda Subbaiah (all Congress), S.C. Subramani, Shajeel Krishnan, Monty Ganesh, K.S. Ramesh (all BJP), and A.C. Devaiah and B.M. Yellappa (Janata Parivar) were made members of the committee.

Things almost went out of control when the remarks of the BJP member, Balakrishna, annoyed the Chief Officer. When Mr. Balakrishna advanced menacingly towards the official, councillors and officials rushed in to avert fisticuffs.

A fresh bout of pandemonium broke out when Mr. Subramani raised the issue of providing him a separate chamber on the premises of the TMC in the capacity of the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Kaveramma Somanna told him that a room could be allotted, provided it was used by all councillors and not just by the Leader of Opposition.

Mr. Subramani, Mr. Shajeel Krishnan, Mr. Balakrishna, Mr. Ramesh, and Ms. Monty Ganesh protested against the statement of Ms. Somanna, and asked her to get the chamber given to the Chairman of the Town Ashraya Committee vacated.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Oppn. slams Govt. on admissions, fee

Implementation of VAT postponed

Develop team spirit, Moily tells students

Chaos in TMC meet over restaurant licence

`Swadeshi Mela' from April 10

Life hit as traders observe bandh

`Govt. not pursuing vintage aircraft case'

Trade and business bandh total

JD(S), AIJD resume talks on merger