Tree Policy of MGP - A Clarification

During the recent controversy about cutting trees on Lalit Mahal Road to widen it, allegations were made in the media that NGOs including Mysore Grahakara Parishat were blindly against all development. Claims were also made that MGP opposes tree cutting selectively, that it vehemently opposes tree cutting in some places and turns a blind eye to tree cuttings elsewhere. The current tree policy of MGP presented below clarifies these issues.

1. MGP's Tree Policy is not rigid and inflexible. These are some guidelines.

2. MGP is not against development. It supports all development which is beneficial to the people in the long run. The local authorities always put forward the argument of development for any construction or destruction they propose and many times the development they have in mind is no development at all. MGP will support only those projects in which the positive effects of development clearly outweigh the negative effects of destroying the environment to achieve that development.

3. Some leniency must be shown about cutting trees grown in residential properties. Otherwise, people will stop planting trees on their sites and the green cover that characterises much of old Mysore will be absent in newer extensions.

4. There is little evidence that widening roads will lead to less accidents. In fact, the opposite may be true. Unless clear cut evidence is produced to show that road-widening is absolutely necessary and that there are no viable alternatives, MGP opposes road-widening as a solution to traffic problems.

5. MGP should work for better public transportation so that use of private vehicles can be minimized. This will reduce road congestion.

6. Boulevards are an inseparable part of the heritage of Mysore. They should be preserved as far as possible, even at the cost of some inconvenience to the public.

7. MGP can not fight every case of tree cutting. Its members are free to oppose any tree cutting, subject to the above guidelines.

Maj.Gen. S.G. Vombatkere, President, Mysore Grahakara Parishat

JNNURM: High Cost of non-involvement of Mysoreans

Mysore is one of the lucky cities to be chosen to be included to receive grants under centrally promoted Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. NURM commenced in 2005 and is expected to be completed in 2012. One of the main goals of NURM is to promote public participation through investment and also in advisory capacity. Both are absent in Mysore.

Mysoreans have been totally indifferent since its inception. Mysore’s several NGOs like CII, Builder’s Association, Rotary, Lions, Chamber of Commerce, etc have taken little interest in the development or implementation of NURM. Management Colleges, Mysore University, retired and working professionals including retired vice chancellors should have taken active part in NURM. Their non-involvement is very conspicuous. These are the very people who criticize our politicians for all the wrongs of our society. When an opportunity is handed over a golden platter, not many come forward to take part. In the case of NURM, this is going to cost Mysore a lot.

Of the initiatives taken so far, contracting Vani Vilas Water Works to JUSCO was the best so far. Unfortunately because of the bungling by the authorities in not communicating with the public, it unnecessarily gave rise to a controversy. Now NURM committee has taken few steps like putting some information on the web at www.jnnurm.mysorecity.gov.in , creating a blog for getting feedback, inviting public to attend review meetings etc. These should help. But much more is needed.

So far NURM committee under the supervision of Special Officer has submitted projects worth Rs 1296 which have been approved (see details below) and there are Rs 614 crores worth of projects pending with NURM approval committee at the center. Amount released so far is Rs. 221 crores. Mysore City Corporation has spent so far Rs. 103 cores.

At a broad level, one cannot find fault with the priorities attached to different projects. NURM has the mission of improving slums and helping the poor in Mysore. Allocating large amount to Road and transportation, Sewerage, water and slum development is appropriate. However the planning and efforts which have gone into the development of city development plan (CDP), collection of data to prepare such plans, basic assumption of population growth, slum population, traffic density, property tax collection, financial viability of MCC etc are deplorable. This is despite the use of consultants. It is unfortunate that despite Mysore being blessed with the presence of several experts and professionals in these areas, there has not been much involvement.

City is already drowned in garbage. It is not obvious that mere allocation of Rs 30 crores for solid waste handling is enough. Based on my observations of what other cities are spending for solving solid waste problem, I feel that NURM committee has not developed appropriate long term strategies to solve this critical problem.

In the case of slum development, projects, construction of about 6000 houses will not even begin to help the slum dwellers. Again no creative energy has been tapped to come up with out of the box type of ideas to improve slums. When these new houses are constructed Mysore would have added even more migrant population and we will be back to the old situation. We have not thought of beautifying the slums and make the living there more enjoyable by having parks, open spaces, community halls, clinics, hospitals, better school facilities, sparkling toilets, etc. The same old and outdated strategy of building third rate poorly designed houses is implemented. This does not amount to any slum development. This is not even vote bank politics.

How does buying of high tech buses help solve the traffic problem of the city? KSRTC is supposed to be a viable corporation which should raise its own capital. Why should funds which are expected to improve Mysore city be given to them to buy buses? There is no proper survey or projection of what will happen to Mysore’s traffic and ad hoc system is applied to spend money on road and transport problems. If real experts (not some activists who always claim to have solutions to every problem) are consulted it is not clear from the CDP.

There is not enough information on what will be done to preserve lakes, improve parks, promote tourism and preserve heritage sites. It is in this area experts and professionals should get involved even at this late stage. Finally NURM committee has decided to form an advisory committee of experts to guide and monitor the implementation of mind boggling amount of Rs. 1800 crores by 2012. Mysore City Corporation has never spent more than Rs 100 crores in any year. Investing this huge amount in less than three and a half years will be a Herculean task even for an efficient and well managed organization. Mysore’s professionals have the responsibility to help NURM committee and not leave it only to activists and politicians who may have different agendas.

Bhamy V Shenoy, Convener, Mysore Grahakara Parishat

People Get the Governance They Deserve

What is common between Lalit Mahal Tree Felling protest, JUSCO contract to improve water supply, implementation of JNNURM, rampant violations of building code violations, disappearing footpaths, drowning in garbage, donation menace in educational institutions etc? It is the total indifference of professionals, and the literate class to take their civic responsibilities seriously. Just three recent examples prove the point.

On World Environmental Day, the Institution of Engineers had organized a seminar with responsible officials with whom we could have discussed the environmental problems of the city. But there were very few people attending it. Of course just by attending one seminar, one does not show real concern. A society which is really concerned would have shown far greater interest.

JUSCO will bring about strategic changes in our water supply system, which has failed on criteria like quantity supplied, quality of water, meeting the need of the poor, collection of proper revenues, stopping the pilferage etc. How many people are concerned? Poor in the slums do protest from time to time about water supply problems, but they do not know how JUSCO can help them. However there are some groups which are taking interest to protest against the contract.

Finally, when some NGOs were protesting the felling of about 200 trees on Lalitha Mahal Road, and near RTO office, how many of us showed enough interest to be present? Where were many of the students studying environment, or the teachers giving lectures on the need to plant tress and how greenhouse gases are affecting global warming, or the retired vice chancellors who talk so eloquently about our combined responsibility to save the planet?

There is a lot of truth in the statement that people get the leadership or governance they deserve. We are critical of our leaders and poor governance. But do we participate in the democratic process by taking up our responsibility? The silence to repeated requests is deafening.

Members of the public who are desirous of getting involved may call 2515150 for more information and aso, can attend the monthly meeting of MGP, held every second sunday of the month at 4 pm in MGP's office.

Dr. Bhamy V. Shenoy, convener, Mysore Grahakara Parishat

Appellate Tribunal Orders Rehearing of MGP Cases

Since the power demand in Karnataka is growing, more and more power generating stations are being built and the electricity distribution companies are entering into new power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the producers of power. In olden days, there was little regulation of this process and as a result, power was often purchased at excessive price and the consumers were saddled with high tariffs. The Dhabol saga is an example.

But after the enactment of the Karnataka Electricity Reforms Act, 1999 and the Electricity Act, 2003, the PPAs are being regulated. It is now compulsory to get the PPAs approved by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission. The public can participate in the hearings conducted by KERC and this has made the PPA process relatively transparent and has greatly reduced questionable deals.

Mysore Grahakara Parishat participates in many public proceedings of KERC, including those connected with approving PPAs. It may be recalled that as a result of one of its petitions, KERC issued an advice to the government of Karnataka to take a fresh decision on Chamalapura thermal power plant.

Over the last few years, MGP had filed objections to the PPAs signed by the electricity distribution companies with Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. (KPCL) regarding a diesel power station at Yelahanka, hydel plants at Almatti and elsewhere, thermal plants at Bellary and elsewhere on various legal, economic and environmental grounds. Some of the problems pointed out by MGP were rectified before the matter came up for hearing before KERC (such as cancelling the royalty clause which was in direct violation of the guidelines issued by the Central Electrical Authority). On the remaining issues, KERC held hearings and issued orders modifying the PPAs.

KPCL appealed to the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, New Delhi against these orders of KERC arguing that it was not afforded opportunity of being heard before the orders were passed by KERC. ATE agreed with it and ordered that KERC should pass fresh orders in all these cases after affording an opportunity to KPCL to make its submissions. These hearings are scheduled for 3 PM on Monday, 15-6-09 (KERC notice on the hearings is enclosed).

It should be mentioned here that the ATE rules lean towards the electric companies and against the ordinary consumer. According to these rules, the minimum fee for appeal before the ATE is Rs. 1 lakh. The high fees are no problem for the electric companies since they can be passed on to the consumers as increased tariffs. But they will prohibit consumers, especially individual consumers, from fighting for their own cause before the ATE. This is a total mockery of the intent of the electricity reforms.

 

G.S. Nayak, member, Mysore Grahakara Parishat

The New Road Humps Are A Nuisance

Recently there was an item in the newspapers criticizing the new pedestrian crossing-cum-road humps which are being installed all over Mysore. One of the criticisms was that many of these crossings are not at all provided with drainage channels and the channels that are provided are inadequate. It was predicted that when the rainy season begins, pools of water will collect behind these humps and cause total nuisance to drivers and pedestrians alike. This prediction has come true. 

Photos of three such crossings taken after today's rains can be seen above.

B.Vaikunth Shenoy, member, Mysore Grahakara Parishat

A Clarification From MGP

Mysore Grahakara Prishat had rececently issued a press statement in which it urged the Commissioner of MCC to pass orders on a complaint filed by Dr.S.R.Anil Kumar claiming that structures constructed by Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Ashram on Survey No.106/2 and 106/3, Nanjangud Road in 1992-93 were illegal, and that MCC incorrectly accorded permission for the construction even though the application was not accompanied by the title deed for the land.

As reported in the media, the management of the Ashram has issued a counter press statement in which it has "condemned" the “interference†of Mysore Grahakara Parishat. Again, as reported in the media, the Ashram authorities have urged MGP to verify the facts before taking up the case. The authorities have also said that it would be sub judice to speak about the dispute as the case is pending before the High Court. They have further said that after an enquiry, MCC had ruled that the hospital building on the disputed land was constructed as per the licence issued by it.

MGP wishes to iterate that it is not taking sides in this dispute. It has merely said that the dispute between Dr. S.R. Anil Kumar and Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Ashram is before the MCC Commissioner and that Dr. S.R. Anil Kumar has produced certain documents supporting his claim. Since the hearings were completed, MGP has urged MCC Commissioner to pass orders immediately on the complaint, since the case was posted for orders as far back as 26-2-2009 and orders have been passed on cases heard after this one.

MGP also wishes to iterate that it has verified that the case is before the MCC Commissioner, hearings have been completed, the case was posted for orders on 26-2-09 and that orders have not yet been passed.

It further wishes to point out that it is not likely that the matter was sub judice, because if it were so, it could not have come before the MCC Commissioner for adjudication. In the hearings conducted by the MCC Commissioner, the issue of the matter being sub judice does not appear to have been raised.

The building might have been constructed as per the licence issued by MCC, but in his complaint, Dr. S.R. Anil Kumar has claimed that permission to the building was accorded by MCC incorrectly and this is one of the issues to be decided by the MCC Commissioner.

Maj.Gen.(Rtd.) S.G. Vombatkere, President, Mysore Grahakara Parishat

Unique Way to Celebrate Environment Day

Bhamy V Shenoy, Convener, Mysore Grahakara Parishat writes

This year, the best way to celebrate World Environmental Day, on June 5th would be for all concerned Mysoreans to assemble near Arch Gate on Lalitha Mahal Road at 11:00 AM on June 5th to protest peacefully against the felling of 123 majestic and beautiful, carbondioxide-consuming, oxygen-giving trees for road-widening. Some of these trees are over 100 years old.

The justification for road-widening given by the authorities is the increasing traffic. By any stretch of imagination, traffic on the roads surrounding this area from racecourse to the Arch gate leading to T Narasipur Road is not heavy enough to widen the roads. It is true that if earlier the number of vehicles were say 50 per hour and it has gone up to 200 on this road, the percentage increase is large. But it does not justify widening the road and in any case cannot justify felling of the trees. It is not that part of the city with high density of traffic moving at high speed like an expressway. Even if for two or three kilometers, vehicles have to move at lower speed to save trees, it is worth paying the price. It is our responsibility to convince the authorities of this fact.

Widening roads to admit more fast-moving cars will mean more exhaust pollution, and cutting trees will remove the capacity to compensate for the increased pollution. Rather than more cars, more buses will transport more people in the same road space, without need to widen the road.

Instead of using JNNURM funds for widening the roads, it could be used for improving the slums of Mysore. This is one example of lop-sided planning when the public is not consulted on the priority of projects.

Environmentalists and those concerned with the livability and beauty of Mysore City need to assemble in huge numbers at Arch Gate on Lalitha Mahal Road on June 5th at 11.00 AM to register their opposition to tree-felling, if the trees and Mysore's ambiance are to be saved. Let us get inspiration from Chipko movement of Sunderlal Bahuguna and rise to the occasion to stop the felling of these trees. Let us also recall a similar movement MGP launched in 90s with the help of students from Sharada Vilas and Maharani college to save the felling of tress around the Race Course.

How Much Should You Pay Your Newspaper Agent?

B.Vaikunth Shenoy, Member, Mysore Grahakara Parishat writes

When an agent delivers a newspaper to your doorstep, do you know, as an enlightened consumer, how much you have to pay him? Many customers are paying more than they should.

Let us first look at how many issues are delivered in a year. All national and state level newspapers, both English and Kannada have just 4 holidays in a year. The local papers have 7-8 holidays in a year.

Star of Mysore has the simplest price structure, 1 rupee on all days. So you pay Rs. 30 (or 31) per month. Subtract a rupee for each holiday.

The local Kannada dailies, Andolana, Mysooru Mithra and Prajanudi charge Rs. 1.50 per issue except on Fridays and Sundays, when they charge Rs. 2. The cost for 365 days at Rs. 1.50 per issue is Rs. 547.50. The 50 paise extra charge for 52 Sundays and 52 Fridays in a year is Rs. 52. Subtracting Rs. 12 for 8 holidays, the total cost per year is Rs. 587.50. So you pay Rs. 49 per month (average) for these papers.

The state-level Kannada dailies, Prajavani and Vijaya Karnataka charge Rs. 3 per issue except on Fridays and Sundays when they charge Rs. 3.50. So the annual cost is 365x3+52=1147. Subtracting Rs. 12 for the 4 holidays, the annual cost is Rs. 1135. So you pay Rs. 95 per month. Kannada Prabha charges Rs. 3 per issue except on Fridays (Rs. 4.50) and Sundays (Rs. 3.50). So the cost per year is 365x3+52x1.50+52x0.50=1199. Subtracting Rs. 12 for the four holidays, the annual cost is Rs. 1187. So you pay Rs. 99 per month.

Deccan Herald, The Hindu and The New Indian Express charge Rs. 3 except on Sundays when they charge Rs. 5. So the annual cost is 365x3+52x2=1199. Subtracting Rs. 12 for the 4 holidays, the annual cost is Rs. 1187. So you pay Rs. 99 per month. The Times of India charges Rs. 3.50 per issue except on Sundays(Rs. 5). So the cost per year is 365x3.50 +52x1.50=1355.5. Subtracting Rs. 14 for the 4 holidays, the annual cost is Rs. 1341.5. So you pay Rs. 112 per month.

The newspapers pay good commission (20% for Kannada, 30-32% for English dailies) to the agents delivering newspapers to your doorstep. So many agents do not charge extra for delivery and as a result you pay only what is calculated above.