Pic: A council body meeting was held at BCC office on MondayBelagavi: The statement by DC Mohammad Roshan about arranging Mahaprasad (free food distribution) by Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) on the last day of the Ganesh festival sparked a debate during the BCC general council body meeting on Monday. Ruling group members demanded an open apology from the DC for making such an announcement without taking the BCC authorities into confidence. In another heated debate, opposition members of the BCC condemned the high cost of cess being imposed on roadside vendors.The major topics discussed at the BCC meeting held on Monday were the preliminary preparations for the upcoming Ganesh festival. Senior member and advocate Hanumant Kongali raised the issue and said that the pre-Ganeshotsav meeting was held ignoring the BCC officials and elected members. “The district administration has no respect for the mayor, deputy mayor, and elected BCC members. BCC uses separate funds for Ganesh Chaturthi preparations in Belagavi, but the district administration is taking credit for the work. No expenditure can be implemented without the budget approval by the elected governing body. DC’s statement is a violation of the law, and he also misled the public on this matter. So, he should issue a public apology,” he demanded.Corporators Ramesh Sontakki, Girish Nashipudi, Ravi Dhotre, and Shankar Patil said every year, a survey was conducted in the city during the Ganesh festival to check road repairs, pruning of trees, proper installation of electricity wires, etc. It has stopped this year. Corporators said that they have decided to take a delegation to the chief minister and governor demanding action against the DC. A memorandum will be submitted to the urban development secretary, urban development minister, and the chief minister, they added.Corporation commissioner Shubha B said that she will take the advice of the corporators before attending the meeting of the district administration.Opposition to cess on roadside vendorsOpposition party members of BCC condemned the high cost of cess being imposed on roadside vendors. Opposition leader Muzamil Doni said that the corporation staff are charging the street vendors as per their requirements. A tender coconut water vendor should pay a daily fee of Rs 100. He asked how he would be able to make a living if he paid a hundred rupees out of his 400 rupees income to BCC and appealed that such unscientific fees should be stopped.The corporation is charging Rs 3,000 per month from rented buildings. It is not legal to charge street vendors Rs 3,000 per month. This should be rectified immediately. Opposition members objected to the use of force against street vendors. Revenue commissioner Reshma Talikote said that no oppression has been shown against street vendors and action will be taken if any cases are found.Mayor Mangesh Pawar and deputy mayor Vani Joshi were present.
