BBMP told to build EWS quarters

BANGALORE: Councillors from Congress and JD(S) on Thursday urged the BBMP, at the Council meeting, to take the responsibility of constructing the new EWS (economically weaker section) quarters at Ejipura, instead of giving it to a private company.The councillors asked the Palike to build the quarters at the earliest and bail out the residents from living in a deplorable condition. They opposed the idea of a public-private partnership with Maverick Holdings to construct 1,640 houses. They also opposed the construction of a 14-floor commercial complexes on eight acres of land. The issue came up on Thursday in the BBMP council.However, the discussion was deferred.Earlier, Shanthinagar MLA N A Harris said that the residents have been living in a shed like accommodation since a decade. The HC had ordered the BBMP to take up the housing work as soon as possible, he said and urged Mayor Sharadamma and Commissioner Siddaiah to complete the housing project instead of deferring it.JD(S) leader Padmanabha Reddy said that the BBMP itself should take up construction of houses. “If Maverick Holdings is entrusted with the project, the BBMP will lose property worth crores of rupees,” he said.He also threatened to launch an agitation if Maverick Holdings was allowed to take up the work. Explaining the condition of the residents, Vivekanagar Councillor Vijayan said that families are staying in a 10X10 sheds with just 20 watt electricity.There is only one public toilet, he added.Later, Reddy questioned the BBMP commissioner Siddaiah’s move to delegate power to executive engineers to invite tenders.