Congress corporators create ruckus during CMC council meet

Cuttack: Tension ran high during the special council meeting of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) held on Friday after Congress corporators staged demonstration over the alleged failure of the civic body to tackle waterlogging in the city.

Demanding the resignation of CMC commissioner Bikash Mohapatra and Mayor Meenakshi Behera, Congress corporators raised slogans which led to the disruption of the council meeting.

Sources said, the Congress corporators wanted a discussion on the waterlogging issue first before any other issue during the council meeting.

"Due to the callous attitude of the CMC officials, the city had to witness severe waterlogging condition last month. The sluice gates were opened between 9 am- 9.30 am and even the officials were not present in the office during such emergency situation," alleged Congress CMC corporator, Giribala Behera.

Behera further alleged that CMC officials did not take any measures even though the government and met department had issued heavy rain alert much in advance.

On the other hand, Cuttack Mayor Meenakshi Behera termed the protests by the opposition as 'unfortunate'.

"They should have raised the matter in the independent sessions of the council. This was the special council meeting of the CMC and it was not the right forum to discuss the issue." stated Behera.