Belagavi’s ₹20 Crore controversy: Ramesh Kudachi Blasts City Corporation’s Illegal Actions, Common Man Left to Suffer

Belagavi:A ₹20 crore controversy involving the Belagavi City Corporation has sparked anger and concern from former mayor Ramesh Kudachi. The issue has been the centre of heated discussions in the city council meetings for the last two days.

The controversy began in 2021 when the Belagavi Commissioner issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC),allowing the construction of an 80-foot road under the Smart City project. Kudachi has questioned the legality of this decision, asserting that only the council has the authority to grant such permissions. He emphasised that the construction was illegal, as the council should have been consulted before any road construction or land acquisition was undertaken.

Kudachi pointed out that when a new council was formed on 9th September 2021, they took charge within 16 months. During this time, only the council had the power to approve such projects. He criticised the commissioner for exceeding his authority, declaring the road construction as illegal.

In yesterday’s council meeting, Kudachi expressed his frustration that the issue was not given due importance. He noted that any decisions made in council meetings cannot be altered for three months, which further complicates the situation.

Reflecting on his tenure as mayor, Kudachi mentioned that he never offered compensation in such matters but instead provided alternative solutions. He criticised the current administration, stating that the entire city is now suffering because of this mistake. Kudachi suggested that the responsible officers should be held accountable, and the amount should be recovered from them.

When asked if there was any political pressure involved, Kudachi questioned why the council was getting involved in this issue and who authorised the decision to proceed without proper permission. He also criticised the unnecessary construction of the 80-foot road, saying it was not needed as traffic primarily flows through the ring road, not this new road.

Kudachi further criticised the Smart City project, stating that it should focus on the basic needs of the people, not just roads and drainage systems. He emphasised that the project was intended for essential infrastructure, and permission from the central government should have been sought for such developments.

Reiterating his stance, Kudachi declared the 80-foot road illegal and hinted at possible political motives behind the decision. He claimed that the issue is an open secret, with hidden agendas at play.

When asked about the court’s order for the Belagavi City Corporation to repay the ₹20 crore, Kudachi affirmed that everyone must comply with the court’s directive. However, he lamented that this issue has led to the suffering of the entire city, and that the citizens of Belagavi will ultimately bear the consequences of this mistake.

Kudachi expressed his disappointment with the city corporation's handling of the issue and reiterated that the people of Belagavi will suffer due to this illegal decision.