HUBBALLI: The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) received an additional Rs 25 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi Nagar Vikas Yojana (MGNVY). In response, the general body meeting of HDMC decided to prepare an action plan to utilise the newly sanctioned funds. Previously, the twin cities were allocated Rs 127 crore under the same scheme, and the action plan for that amount was already submitted for govt approval.
The govt initially sanctioned Rs 127.5 crore to HDMC under MGNVY, as it did for eight other municipal corporations. However, the twin cities did not receive a share from the funds reserved for the minister. This led to demands for additional funding. In light of these concerns, Union minister Pralhad Joshi intervened and successfully secured the additional Rs 25 crore from the urban development Department.
The govt reallocated part of the minister’s reserve fund to meet this need. Previously, Rs 72.5 crore was earmarked for Tumakuru Municipal Corporation, but it was reduced to Rs 47.5 crore, with the remaining Rs 25 crore now allocated to HDMC.
While members across party lines expressed satisfaction over the additional funds, some voiced frustration over not having a role in drafting the action plan. In the previous plan for Rs 127 crore, the works suggested by local MLAs were incorporated, and for the Rs 25 crore, MP Pralhad Joshi’s list of proposed works will be prioritised. This left many members feeling sidelined, as they were unable to make promises to their constituents about local projects.
Members from both the ruling BJP and opposition Congress called for revisions to the action plan already sent for govt approval. They proposed allocating Rs 1 crore to each of the 87 members, with the remainder going toward projects suggested by the MLAs. However, senior member Tippanna Majjagi objected, emphasising that it was not appropriate to seek changes to a plan that was already submitted for approval. The legal officer echoed his sentiment, explaining that once the proposal is with the govt, it cannot be discussed or altered within the next three months.
Tippanna further pointed out that members should have raised their concerns during the previous general body meeting, and said making changes now would be unfair, given the pressure from the MLAs at the time. Another member, however, reminded the house that during the last meeting, it was proposed that an additional Rs 87 crore be sought from the govt so that each councillor could benefit.
After some confusion, mayor Ramanna Badiger adjourned the meeting briefly to consult with the members. When the house reconvened, the mayor announced that the action plan for the Rs 25 crore would be sent as is, but a separate proposal would be prepared to request Rs 1 crore for each councillor, in line with the earlier discussions. However, the mayor’s ruling did not entertain any changes to the previously submitted plan.
Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) general body extended a welcome to their newly appointed corporation commissioner Rudresh Ghali, while advising him to maintain impartiality and resist external pressure.
Due to a KDP meeting with district minister Santosh Lad in Dharwad, the HDMC commissioner and officials had sought permission from the general body to attend the event. The corporators, frustrated by the absence of the commissioner and other officials, requested the mayor to conclude the meeting as issues could not be resolved. Subsequently, the mayor decided to close the proceedings.
