No representation of SCs, STs in 13 panels

Mangaluru: Out of 60 ward committees of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), 13 have no representation from Schedule Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Also, 23 wards have only one member each representing the communities though the rule mandates two members from the community in each ward.
It is mandatory for city corporations to form ward committees, comprising 10 members in each ward, as per Karnataka Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Act-2011. MCC had received more than 1,200 applications from citizens to the committees of 60 wards. As per the Act, the ward committee should consist of the corporator of the ward as its chairperson.
Meanwhile, 10 other members, to be nominated by the corporation, should comprise at least two members belonging to SC and ST; at least three women members; and at least two members representing NGO/ residents’ welfare associations (RWAs).
Out of 60 wards, 49 have either no representation or less than the required number of members from the reserved quota. For example, there is no representation from the NGO/ RWAs in 15 wards. As per the notification dated February 10, ward committees were formed in all the 60 wards across the city, and meetings had commenced in March.
MCC commissioner Akshy Sridhar said that the city corporation has invited applications from citizens to fill the vacancies of ward committee members.
“The city corporation has formed ward committees in all the 60 wards. But in many wards, the posts of members under reserved quota have not been filled yet. So we have invited applications from eligible citizens to fill them. Those interested may submit applications for membership in ward committees under reserved quota before October 31,” he said.
Application forms may be submitted at MCC office, and zonal offices of the city corporation at Surathkal or Kadri, he added.