MCC not implementing online system since it will hit their pockets, says Ramadas

Mysuru: BJP leader and Krishnaraja MLA SA Ramadas on Wednesday warned the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) of initiating criminal action if the civic agency failed to put in place a system to apply for and obtain khatas, paying taxes and other services within 30 days. Ramadas, a former minister, alleged rampant corruption in the MCC, adding that the civic agency was dragging its feet on implementing online services since it would deprive officials of bribes.
“People who go to MCC to obtain necessary services are harassed by the officials for bribes. They are asked to pay bribes even to obtain birth and death certificates. We had requested the senior officials of the MCC to implement the online system, but no steps have been taken in this direction. We have written letters to the officials, and held a couple of meetings too, but the situation has not changed. To me, it appears as though the officials are reluctant to roll the new system out since it will hit their pockets,” said Ramadas.
‘Residents continue to suffer in aftermath of rain’
The Krishnaraja MLA also lambasted the MCC for its failure to take preventive measures to avert damage when it rains in the city. “Water continues to enter homes, leading to a lot of problems for the residents. I have written to the MCC asking them to look into the problem, besides holding two meetings. They have furnished an action report, but the truth is that no work has started in this direction,” said Ramadas, who was as annoyed with the growth of shrubs on vacant plots turning them into dens for poisonous creatures. “Cess is being collected to keep vacant sites clean, but is it actually being done? Many streetlights are not working, but when we ask the MCC about this, we are told that plans are afoot to replace all of them with LED bulbs. This is an excuse that we have been listening to for the past six months. Also, parks across the city are maintained very poorly,” the former minister said.
Responding to Ramadas’s torrent of complaints, mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath pointed out that the former too was a member of the MCC Council. “But he has not attended even a single meeting. Chamaraja MLA L Nagendra, who is Ramadas’s party colleague, has attended two meetings of the MCC Council and raised a few issues. Ramadas could have tabled these problems for discussion at the council meetings instead of which he is crying foul outside. As far as making all services available online is concerned, we have not been able to do much owing to the Model Code of Conduct,” said Pushpalatha, adding that she would instruct the personnel concerned to clear garbage on vacant sites.