Ruling and Opposition members deliberating on the issue of irregular water supply during the monthly council meeting of the Municipal Corporation in Hubballi on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: KIRAN BAKALE

Irregular water supply during March and April led to an elaborate discussion during the monthly council meeting of Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) in Hubballi on April 29, with both opposition and ruling party members expressing concern.

Raising the issue during zero hour, BJP councillor Chandrashekhar Managundi alleged that water was being supplied in his ward once in 8 to 10 days. Several councillors of both ruling party and opposition concurred with him with a few even alleging that the frequency was 10 to 15 days in some localities.

Responding to their allegation, Municipal Commissioner Rudresh Ghali said that because of power shutdown for 24 hours during March, there was a delay for 8 hours in water supply. The district in-charge minister had conducted a joint meeting of officials of HESCOM, HDMC, KUIDFC and L&T before constituting a technical committee to look into it. The report of the committee is awaited.

KUIDFC officials had been directed to chalk out an action plan to prevent disruption in power supply to the water supply system, he said.

Intervening in the discussion, Mayor Ramanna Badiger pointed out that at three places, farmers had declined to part with their land for laying of 24×7 water supply line. They had demanded hefty compensation.

“The farmers were convinced to part with their land. Consequently, work has been taken up. Now, work on only 50 metres is pending, which is expected to completed by June 8,” he said.

The Mayor directed the municipal commissioner to take steps to get a separate feeder line for power supply to the water supply network.

Controversy over veterinary officer

The issue of allowing a veterinary officer to continue in service despite the general body resolving to release the said officer from municipal duty led to a heated discussion with BJP councillor Thippanna Majjagi taking exception the development.

When BJP councillor Shivu Menasinakai raised the issue of stray cattle menace in the central business district, Health Officer Dr. Sridhar Dandeppanavar clarified that although teams had been constituted to address the issue, action had been delayed due to objection by local residents. Mr. Dandeppanavar then called veterinary officer Dr. A.G. Kulkarni to give further information, which enraged Thippanna Majjagi, who sought to know how could an officer be asked to resume duty when the council had resolved to release him from duty. He sought to know what message it would convey about the power of the council.

Intervening in the discussion, Commissioner Rudresh Ghali clarified that Dr. Kulkarni was asked to resume duty due to shortage of staff with the permission of the Mayor, which further enraged Mr. Majjagi. He sought to know how could it be done when the council meeting had resolved to relieve him from the duty. He demanded an apology from the commissioner.

The discussion concluded with Mayor Ramanna Badiger ruling that steps would be taken to relieve the officer from duty in accordance with the council resolution.

The council meeting deliberated upon various issues listed in the agenda.

It passed a resolution condemning the Pahalgam terror attack and demanding action against terrorists.

NEW DELHI: Addressing a press conference in early hours of Wednesday, Pakistan’s information minister Attatullah Tarar claimed there was “credible intelligence” of an attack by India in “within the next 24 to 36 hours.”
Pakistan continued to violate ceasefire along the Line of Control, initiated unprovoked small-arms fire during the intervening night of April 29 and 30. According to the Indian Army, troops responded “swiftly and proportionately.”
An Indian-origin tech entrepreneur from Mysuru allegedly shot and killed his wife and one of his sons before taking his own life at their home in Newcastle, Washington.
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Pakistan fears Indian military strike within ’24 to 36 hours’
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Pakistan violates ceasefire again, initiates ‘unprovoked’ small-arms fire
Continuing to violate its ceasefire agreement with India, Pakistani troops initiated unprovoked small-arms fire during the intervening night of April 29 and 30. The Indian Army hit back with a “swift and proportionate” response to what was sixth consecutive night of ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops. The violations come amid rising diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan over the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Read full story
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A few years ago, the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) faced an unusual predicament. A 12-year-old boy from Samastipur was emerging as a prodigious talent, but he couldn’t be played in the Bihar U-16 team due to BCCI rules introduced during the Covid era, which required players to be 14 years or older to qualify for the U-16 level. That boy was Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who, at the age of just 14, became the youngest-ever T20 centurion after smashing a 35-ball hundred against Gujarat Titans. Read full story