Hubballi: An administrative error in the omission of newly created wards under the jurisdiction of Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) council – the number of wards in the twin cities increased from 67 to 82 – under 12 different zones has led to confusion among both newly-elected members and residents of urban local bodies (ULBs). While awaiting their formal consecration as members hdmc As the council continues, monitoring the separation of new wards into 12 areas had fueled residents’ anger.
Santosh Chavan, who was elected to the HDMC council for the first time from Ward 41, said that after the announcement of the election results, there was a flurry of calls from the aggrieved residents. “We are sending their problems to the control room, and in some cases, we are also informing the HDMC commissioner. HDMC officials are resolving the problems, but I think the authorities should expedite the process of segregating the wards into 12 zones,” Chavan said.
HDMC sources hinted at reservations among senior officials about adding more wards in their areas, which would translate to an increase in their responsibilities, which would be difficult for them in view of the staff crunch that the civic body is grappling with. . “The posts of junior engineers, health inspectors, etc. are lying vacant. Though the number of wards has increased, no steps have been taken to ensure proportionate increase in personnel. We are not in a position to assure the newly-elected corporators that these issues will be resolved in time considering the problem of shortage of staff,” said an HDMC official.
Sources said that as far as segregation of wards into 12 zones is concerned, elected representatives and officials are pulling in different directions. Meanwhile, officials are eager to ensure that the entire system is streamlined ahead of the mayoral election.
Former Mayor Veerana Savadi, elected from Ward 46, said that the division of wards into zones has not been done scientifically. “About 80% of my ward has been kept under the zone 6 jurisdiction, while the remaining part of the section will come under zone 5. This will lead to confusion when it comes to water supply and allocation of funds for it. development projects. The authorities should address these problems and complete the process at the earliest.
’12 zonal areas will remain’
We are segregating and allotting property identification to each ward. The process will be completed in a few days. We will continue to have 12 zones. We will distribute our existing employees to work in each ward. We have only 40 health inspectors, though there are enough engineers and bill collectors. We will outsource some work to deal with the shortage of staff, for which I will seek approval from the government.
– Suresh Etnal | Commissioner, Hubballi, Dharwad Municipal council
Santosh Chavan, who was elected to the HDMC council for the first time from Ward 41, said that after the announcement of the election results, there was a flurry of calls from the aggrieved residents. “We are sending their problems to the control room, and in some cases, we are also informing the HDMC commissioner. HDMC officials are resolving the problems, but I think the authorities should expedite the process of segregating the wards into 12 zones,” Chavan said.
HDMC sources hinted at reservations among senior officials about adding more wards in their areas, which would translate to an increase in their responsibilities, which would be difficult for them in view of the staff crunch that the civic body is grappling with. . “The posts of junior engineers, health inspectors, etc. are lying vacant. Though the number of wards has increased, no steps have been taken to ensure proportionate increase in personnel. We are not in a position to assure the newly-elected corporators that these issues will be resolved in time considering the problem of shortage of staff,” said an HDMC official.
Sources said that as far as segregation of wards into 12 zones is concerned, elected representatives and officials are pulling in different directions. Meanwhile, officials are eager to ensure that the entire system is streamlined ahead of the mayoral election.
Former Mayor Veerana Savadi, elected from Ward 46, said that the division of wards into zones has not been done scientifically. “About 80% of my ward has been kept under the zone 6 jurisdiction, while the remaining part of the section will come under zone 5. This will lead to confusion when it comes to water supply and allocation of funds for it. development projects. The authorities should address these problems and complete the process at the earliest.
’12 zonal areas will remain’
We are segregating and allotting property identification to each ward. The process will be completed in a few days. We will continue to have 12 zones. We will distribute our existing employees to work in each ward. We have only 40 health inspectors, though there are enough engineers and bill collectors. We will outsource some work to deal with the shortage of staff, for which I will seek approval from the government.
– Suresh Etnal | Commissioner, Hubballi, Dharwad Municipal council
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