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Mysore, July 20- A three-member team from World Bank visited the Mysore
City Corporation this morning and obtained relevant details about
administration and finances of the Corporation from the Mayor and the
Corporation Commissioner.
The all-women team comprised Ms. Dana Weist, Senior Public Sector Finance
Specialist, Washington, Ms. Kirida Bhaopichitr, Project Economist,
Thailand and Dr. (Ms.) Christina Wong, Economist, Washington.
Mr. K. Mukundan, Senior Urban Specialist, South-Asia Energy and
Infrastructure Unit, New Delhi, accompanied them.
In an informal chat with Star of Mysore, Ms. Dana Weist explained that
they were here to review the governance by the City Corporation including
administration and finance and submit its report to the world body. The
team had visited Hassan on Thursday, she disclosed.
Some other teams from World Bank were visiting other States of India, she
added.
The members of the team would be meeting officials in other departments
connected with Municipal Administration, Ms. Weist informed.
Team meets Mayor
In its discussions with the Mayor Mr. T.B. Chikkanna, the team sought to
know the main sources of revenue and the budget allocation. The team also
wanted to know the Deputy Mayor's role, and how the Mayor was chosen and
his tenure of office.
Mr. Chikkanna explained to the team that House Tax and Property Tax were
the main sources of revenue for the Corporation and the main expenditure
was on drinking water, sanitation, street lights and maintenance of roads
and public parks.
Special attention was being given to the 18 per cent, belonging to
economically challenged section of the population as per the Indian
Constitution, he said.
The Mayor also explained the structure and functions of the Standing
Committees and that the tenure of the Mayor, elected by the 65 Corporators
was one year.
He said that the Deputy Mayor officiates on his behalf in his absence. The
decision of the Council were final, he informed the team.
He also referred to the need of resources for providing basic amenities to
the ever-growing residential layouts within the jurisdiction of the
Corporation.
The World Bank team members and the officials accompanying the team were
received with bouquets by the Mayor Mr. Chikkanna and Commissioner Mr.
Selvakumar on their arrival.
Later the team had discussions with the Commissioner Mr. Selva Kumar. The
Deputy Commissioner of the Corporation Mr. Devraj was present.-BLU&BRS
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