All eyes are now focussed on the first council meeting of newly-formed Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) scheduled by this month-end. Despite the formation of the new council after the February 6 civic body elections, it has not even met once during the past three months, putting the civic affairs of the city in utter disarray.
“Soon after the formation of the council and elections of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, the model code of conduct came into force in view of the general elections and, therefore, the council could not be convened in all these days,” said senior BJD corporator Chiranjay Sahu.
But even after complete relaxation of the code of conduct since May 18, no effort is being made yet to convene the council meeting to discuss the inherent civic problems of the city, which have assumed serious proportions. Sources, however, confirmed that the first meeting of the council is likely to be held on May 30.
“We are going to form all the standing committees of the civic body on May 26 and 27 and convene the council meeting on May 30,” informed CMC Deputy Mayor Ajay Barik.
The first council meeting is likely to take up the crucial waterlogging issue seriously in view of the impending monsoons, Barik said.
Meanwhile, the civic body officials are now working overtime to meet the Odisha High Court’s deadline to complete the de-siltation of all drains in the city by May 31. The High Court last month had set up a committee under the State Advocate General to ensure that de-siltation of drains is complete by May 31.