Stormwater drains that need to be desilted immediately, dilapidated residential quarters: this is what greeted Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara during a visit to Shivajinagar Assembly constituency on Tuesday. Mr. Parameshwara, who is also the city development minister, met local residents and heard their grievances.
He directed officials to immediately take up desilting of the stormwater drain near the gurudwara and appoint an official to oversee maintenance of the drain.
At M.V. Garden, he noted the lack of adequate equipment at a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) gym and assured residents that a two-storey building would be constructed to house a state-of-the-art gym, e-library and an anganwadi.
Funds for school
During his visit to Government Rahamania Urdu Higher Primary School and training centre, he interacted with students and promised ₹5 crore for renovation of the building. He also visited the Government VKO School, which has been adopted by IMA Jewellers.
Property tax
He reviewed the financial situation of the BBMP and directed officials to undertake a special drive to collect property tax dues.
Officials said the civic body has collected ₹1,614 crore in property tax till date this fiscal and has to collect ₹2,828 crore to reach the target.
Dr. Parameshwara directed zonal joint commissioners to ensure collection of tax dues and authorised them to levy a hefty penalty on evaders.
Protest against fuel price hike
With the price of fuel skyrocketing, he told reporters that the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee plans to stage a protest against the hike in fuel prices.
“The price of petrol and diesel are fixed according to international rates. When the price reduces, the fuel price here must reflect that. However, the Union government is not bringing the price down and is burdening citizens,” he said.