Whistleblowers hint at legal fight against BCC mayor
Belagavi: RTI and social activists Sujit Mulgund and Rajeev Topannavar, along with high court lawyer Nitin Bolabandi, have demanded that Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) mayor Mangesh Pawar and corporator Jayant Jadhav, who were disqualified over allegations of violating office of profit norms, should resign immediately.
Senior officials, including the Belagavi City Corporation Commissioner, should take legal action in this regard. If the govt continues to be negligent, they will take to the streets and fight, along with intensifying the legal battle.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, the social activists said they obtained information about the Belagavi mayor and corporator through RTI. It has come to light that they gave false information while submitting their asset details.
This is a serious violation of Section 19 of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, by corporators. According to Section 19, it is mandatory for every corporator to file annual declarations of assets and liabilities not only for themselves but also for their spouse and dependent family members.
Failure to do so, or filing a false or incomplete declaration, will automatically result in dismissal from office.
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Sub-section (1) of Section 19 mandates that every councillor shall file with the mayor of the corporation a declaration of all assets owned by them and their family members. This must be done within a month of assuming office after election. Sub-section (2) causes automatic cessation of councillorship should they fail to file such a declaration or if the one filed is false or incorrect. Sub-section (3) provides that if any question as to the cessation of councillorship should arise, the same shall be finally decided by the govt on a reference being made by the corporation.
Obviously, this provision has been enacted to bring probity and transparency to political functionaries in local bodies.
"On what basis are disqualified city employees allowed to hold office and exercise power? According to the Karnataka Municipal Act, they cannot even vote. This would be a crime. Elected representatives who hide assets cannot continue in office. We demand immediate verification of asset declarations and strict enforcement of the law. We will pursue legal remedies if the corporation fails to take action," the activists said.
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