Heated exchange at Mangaluru City Corporation meeting over housing sites
In a confrontational General Body Meeting of the Mangaluru City Corporation on Wednesday, Opposition Leader Praveen Chandra Alva raised concerns about the alleged lack of distribution of housing sites to applicants during his six-year membership.
Alva directed his criticism towards local legislators, accusing them of inaction in ensuring the provision of housing sites, sparking a heated exchange with ruling party members.
Alva's contention centered on the apparent discrepancy between the distribution of title deeds to 900 beneficiaries six years ago and the absence of actual housing sites for applicants. Members of the ruling party, including Jagadish Shetty and Shakeela Kava, vehemently rebutted Alva's claims, attributing the delay in site allocation to errors made by a former MLA from Alva's party.
Chief Whip Premananda Shetty accused Alva of attempting to politicize the housing issue, emphasizing that the matter falls outside the administrative purview of the Mayor. He contended that the delay was a consequence of the former MLA's distribution of title deeds without prior permission, coinciding with election-related activities.
Amidst the verbal sparring, Corporation Commissioner Anand intervened to provide information on the progress of ongoing housing projects. He detailed the construction of residential complexes in various locations, specifying the number of houses allocated to beneficiaries from different categories.
Mayor Sudhir Shetty Kannur, addressing concerns raised by Alva regarding irregularities in the sewage treatment plant (STP), informed the assembly that he had personally inspected the plant. He clarified that funds amounting to Rs 80 lakh had been allocated for the Bajal Stepwell project under the 15th Finance Commission, scheduled to commence operations within a week. Shetty highlighted similar projects at Jalligudda and Kadekar.
The Mayor also addressed issues related to traffic congestion, the dengue outbreak, and water shortages in the city. Shetty assured the assembly that Rs 40 crore would be granted for sewage treatment projects, and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be submitted to the government.
Opposition Leader Alva urged the Mayor to establish a committee for the management of underground drainage, akin to water supply systems.
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UP Cong holds statewide protest seeking probe into FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
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