The Hindu     25.02.2016 

Chennai rated the safest city in India

hennai has been rated the safest city in the country, going by the low crime rate and better law enforcement, according to a survey on Quality of Living rankings made by Mercer, a global consultancy firm.

The Quality of Living survey — conducted between September and November last — had covered nearly 230 cities across the world. While Chennai ranks 113 among the world’s safest cities, it has been rated the safest Indian city compared to seven other places, including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi.

However, it stands fourth among the seven Indian cities in providing quality living to its residents. Chennai has been ranked the 150{+t}{+h}city globally in quality of living. It is emerging to be one of the cities of choice because of its relatively lower crime rate, less pollution and better education standards.

Ruchika Pal, Principal and India practice leader, Global Mobility, Mercer, said: “We rated Chennai the best city for personal safety based on four parameters — internal stability, crime rate, law enforcement and relationship with other countries. Unlike other cities, violent processions or terrorism threat is less in Chennai. Police corruption is also seen less compared to other metros, and residents are more law abiding.”

Chennai has climbed one step further in providing quality life to its people, compared to last year. Better public transportation with the recent addition of Metro Rail, more international and reputed schools and less traffic congestion, compared to other cities, has raised the quality of living in Chennai.

The survey is conducted annually to enable government agencies, multinational companies and municipalities to assess factors that can improve quality of living. While the survey provides an understanding for companies on factors that affect employees who are on international assignments, it also helps local bodies to improve and attract investments, Ms. Pal said.

The Hindu      01.12.2015 

Corporation passes 49 resolutions at one stroke amidst commotion

Opposition councillors of Tirunelveli Corporation creating a flutter.— Photo: A. SHAIKMOHIDEEN

The Tirunelveli Corporation council meeting that ended in just eight minutes on Monday passed 49 resolutions at one stroke amidst commotion even as the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Bharatiya Janata Party and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam councillors demanded a debate on damaged roads and insanitary condition in the city.

Condemning the hasty ending of the meeting, Opposition councillors raised slogans against the administration even as Mayor E. Bhuvaneshwari and officials left the hall.

Sitting on the floor in front of the Mayor’s seat, the protesting councillors, including three women, raised slogans against the Mayor, saying the council gave no room for discussion on poor civic issues, after the recent rains.

DMK member Kittu alias Ramakrishnan, BJP councillor Azhaguraj and independent member Subramanian, who rushed towards the Mayor’s seat, said the council should first discuss the insanitary condition in all 55 wards.

Ms. Bhuvaneshwari said she would be forced to suspend Mr. Ramakrishnan and Mr. Azhaguraj as they were disrupting the council proceedings despite repeated warnings.

Accompanied by Mr. Subramanian, the duo reiterated their demands even as the Mayor announced that all resolutions had been passed and left the hall.

MDMK councillors Abraham, Joseph and Sarojini also joined the councillors and raised slogans against the Corporation and the Mayor.

The meeting resolved to allocate Rs.25 lakh for establishing an ‘Amma Unavagam’ on Tirunelveli Medical College premises and creating windrow platforms at 30 places across the city for preparing manure from degradable waste being generated from these places.