Yesterday, the parliamentary majority of the Municipal Assembly (SO) of Danilovgrad, non-transparently and without any discussion, rejected the citizens' initiative that requested the annulment of the consent to the Decision on the proposal of water prices for the year 2025, announced the councilor of Turnaround in the Danilovgrad SO Vuk Iković and said that the SO now obliged to call a local referendum where they will check the citizens' opinion about it.
If that does not happen, Ikovic said that he will use all available means to launch an initiative to call a local referendum on the matter.
"The initiative, which was signed by about 600 citizens of Danilovgrad, was previously considered by the Parliamentary Committee for Statute and Regulations and determined that the initiative is based on the law and the Statute of the Municipality of Danilovgrad, and that the councilors should express themselves about it. Every civilized statement is preceded by a parliamentary polemic, that is, a discussion, so that all those elected by the citizens could exchange their arguments and make a decision that is in the interest of those who elected them, as well as everyone else But there was no opportunity for debate at the session - I, as the proposer, presented the initiative, and at the continuation of the session, held days later, the councilors just voted on the decision. I was not even informed about the continuation of the session, which further indicates to non-transparency and an attempt to avoid public responsibility. This act represents a direct disregard of democratic procedures and citizens' rights," Ikovic said in a statement sent to the media.
He said that citizens have been demanding the annulment of the decision to increase the price of water, which has been 2025% more expensive since January 53. The municipal assembly adopted a decision that made water in Danilovgrad almost twice as expensive as in Podgorica and Nikšić, which further burdened the citizens' budget. Instead of a rational solution, the parliamentary majority refused to normalize water prices, Iković assessed.
"I remind the councilors and the President of the Municipality that, in case of rejection of the citizens' initiative, the Municipal Assembly, according to Article 120 of the Statute of the Municipality, is obliged to call a local referendum so that the councilors leave their rejection of the citizens' initiative to the verification of the citizens' direct statement. Also, according to Article 121 of the Statute, the president The municipality is obliged to propose a decision on calling a municipal referendum, and calling and holding a local referendum in case of rejection of the citizen's initiative is also an obligation according to the article 160 of the Law on Local Self-Government. If the President of the Municipality, as the most responsible person of the local self-government, does not propose such a decision by the end of this month, as an opposition councilor, I will contact my colleagues from the council opposition in order to jointly propose a decision on calling a local referendum the proposal needs the support of one third of the councilors. If there is no awareness among the opposition councilors of the need to protect the interests of the citizens of Danilovgrad and their right to directly decide on their interests in a referendum, together with the citizens of Danilovgrad I will start collecting signatures for a citizens' initiative asking the Municipal Assembly to call a local referendum on this issue. For this initiative, it will be necessary to be supported by 10% of citizens with the right to vote in the Municipality of Danilovgrad", stated Iković. He is convinced that this initiative will be supported by a far greater number of signatures than prescribed, because, in his opinion, citizens are aware of the importance of fair and responsible water price policies.
"Water is not a luxury, but a basic right of all citizens. The citizens of Danilovgrad deserve transparent management and a fair price for water that will not burden their budgets. I invite all citizens to support the initiative for a local referendum and to fight together for fair and responsible management of the public good. with joint efforts, we can ensure a fair future for all citizens of Danilovgrad," concluded Preokret councilor.
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