BCC council discusses issues of stray dogs, desilting of nalas

Caption: The council meeting of the BCC held on MondayBelagavi: The council meeting of the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC), held on Monday, discussed the issue of stray dogs within the limits of the BCC. The mayor issued a ruling that the BCC had to follow the guidelines of the Supreme Court directive rather than the state govt order. The council also discussed the issue of desilting of Ballari Nala, which causes flooding every year in the southern part of Belagavi. Besides, it also discussed decreasing revenue collection, the ongoing server problem for e-property registration, and the problems created by sewage issues.Corporator and advocate Hanumant Kongali raised the issue of stray dogs in Belagavi city. He said that the Supreme Court (SC) issued guidelines to prevent dog cruelty, but the state govt directed officials to open shelters for dogs in every ward of town and city. This was against the SC guidelines. The govt order was against the SC guidelines. The corporation had to follow the guidelines of the Supreme Court directive, he added.The council requested the BCC commissioner to write a letter to the govt and seek a clear explanation on this matter. Mayor Mangesh Pawar instructed the commissioner to sterilise the dogs as per the SC guidelines and return them to their respective habitats. He suggested that the govt's stance on opening separate food outlets for dogs in each ward should be looked at once again.Corporator Girish Dhongadi mentioned that Belagavi is facing major problems during the rainy season due to dirty nalas, including Ballari Nala. Polluted water is entering the surrounding lands and causing immense damage to crops. No serious action has been taken so far. The corporators demanded that the BCC should clean the nalas at least 2 times a year.The corporators who raised the issues in e-property registration complained that people have been struggling for 4 months due to technical issues. The menace of agents is increasing. Urgent action is needed to resolve the middlemen's troubles. The Commissioner should take a close look at this matter, they urged.MLA Abhay Patil informed the council of the quality of the smart city works undertaken and the benefits to the people from these works, and asked the mayor to take steps to facilitate smooth traffic.The corporators urged the mayor to take immediate action to resolve the dispute over rent of corporation buildings. They said that even though the tenure of leased buildings expired, the corporation was not able to take back possession of these buildings.Mayor Mangesh Pawar instructed officials to conduct a full investigation into the rent payments of corporation buildings and the flower market. The corporators demanded that notices be issued to departments, including Hescom, regarding their absence from the council.MLA Asif Sait, corporators Ramesh Sontakki, Girish Nashipudi, Ravi Dotrem, Girish Dhongadi, and opposition leader Muzamil Doni participated in the debate.