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Corpn. yet to open public library for want of books

Saturday, 11 July 2009 07:32 administrator
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The Hindu 11.07.2009

Corpn. yet to open public library for want of books

Staff Reporter

– PHOTO: M. GOVARTHAN

Long wait: Erode Corporation is yet to throw open its Periyar Nagar library to the public.

ERODE: In Periyar Nagar here, Erode Corporation, with much publicity, announced the construction of a library.

Elected representatives of the civic body listed the facilities the public library would have. They talked about the books the library would have, special arrangements to help students prepare for competitive examinations, including civil services, and also the attached browsing centre.

The announcement attracted more than the desired publicity, what with the representatives keeping it by attracting politicians at regular intervals for inspection. However, neither the councillors nor Corporation officials have spoken about the library in the recent past.

The reason: since completion in March 2009 the Corporation has kept the library under lock and key for want of books. At present, at the Rs. 45 lakh worth facility, spread over 2,80 sq.ft., there is nothing much for the public.According to sources in the Erode Corporation, right after the completion of the construction, the civic body was engaged in the conduct of the general election and is now at the job.

The Corporation has written to the State library authority asking for the books to be purchased, particularly for competitive examinations. The sources also say that it is also in the process of writing to the Government asking for utilisation of the annual library cess towards purchase of books. Every year, the civic body pays the State Government Rs. 50 lakh.

The sources assure that the civic body will soon throw open to the public the library with browsing centre.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 October 2009 05:36
 

Mayor warns vendors of raids

Wednesday, 08 July 2009 09:48 administrator
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Source : The New Indian Express Date : 08.07.2009

Mayor warns vendors of raids

CHENNAI: A ‘compromise mission’ led by a group of 20 fruit vendors from Koyambedu on Tuesday was rejected outright by Chennai Corporation Mayor M Subramanian, who lambasted them for indulging in the sale of artificially ripened fruits causing public health hazards.

A group of fruit traders from Koyambedu under the banner of Chennai Fruits Commission Agents’ Association met the Mayor on Tuesday and sought a ‘private audience’ with him to clarify ‘doubts’ on artificially ripened mangoes.

The traders’ compromise move followed the recent spate of raids at Koyambedu fruit market where the civic body officials seized more than 65 tonnes of artificially ripened fruits, mostly different varieties of mangoes, and sealed at least two shops.

Since the Mayor was wary of the request for a ‘private audience’ with fruit vendors at Ripon Building, he arranged for an ‘interactive session’ and asked other officials concerned, including the Corporation Health Officer Dr P Kuganantham, to attend the meeting at his conference hall.

During the 30- minute session, fruit traders argued that a few illiterate vendors did the artificial ripening of fruits and the practice continued only because of the shortage of space (godown) for making fruits ripe naturally.

The vendors also complained that only eight godowns were available in the whole Koyambedu fruit market for natural ripening of fruits and they were awfully inadequate during peak seasons.

The justification from fruit traders did not convince the Mayor, who shot back with warnings of further continuous raids on such traders engaged in artificial ripening of fruits.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 July 2009 09:51
 

Laptops for Corporation zonal officers

Wednesday, 08 July 2009 04:40 administrator
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Source : The Hindu Date : 08.07.2009

Laptops for Corporation zonal officers

Staff Reporter

— Photo : M. Vedhan

A FILLIP: Chennai Mayor M. Subramanian hands over a laptop to an official of Chennai Corporation on Tuesday. The Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni is in the picture.

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation on Tuesday distributed laptops to the heads of its various departments and zonal officers.

The provision of laptops to the Corporation officials will facilitate faster redressal of public grievances and efficient monitoring of various administrative functions. The move would also be beneficial for implementation of the integrated web-based e-governance programme, which is under progress, Mayor M.Subramanian said after handing over laptops to 30 officials.

Officials of the civic body said that the laptops would be useful to the officials who go on inspections frequently, to monitor the progress of projects in their departments. The 30 laptops, costing Rs.15.75 lakh, were given to heads of various departments, including health and revenue, Chief Engineers, District Family Welfare Officers and zonal officers at the function held in the Mayor’s chamber in Ripon building.

Mr.Subramanian said that the Corporation was taking several measures to redress public grievances. It had provided mobile phones to 960 officials and councillors, at a cost of Rs.15 lakh.

Chennai Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni, Deputy Mayor R. Sathyabama, DMK floor leader N. Ramalingam and opposition floor leader Saidai Ravi participated in the function.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 July 2009 04:42
 
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