The Hindu 03.01.2014
Corporation to hear residents out
Residents of all 200 wards will be able to air grievances over civic
conditions; associations not on civic body’s list can also register
Chennai Corporation will organise a meeting with all
residents’ welfare associations in the city this month to review
existing civic conditions.
The meeting will give
residents of all 200 wards an opportunity to air grievances over any
deficiency in services provided by Corporation officials in the past few
years. Representatives of at least 2,500 residents’ welfare
associations are likely to participate.
“The meeting
is likely to be held this month. Residents’ associations that are not on
the list of the Chennai Corporation will also be permitted to register
online. The venue will be announced shortly,” said an official.
The
residents’ associations that have been registered with the civic body
can submit the petitions to the officials concerned at the meeting.
“Important civic issues will be discussed at the meeting. Residents can
also give suggestions on important requirements for civic projects in
any locality. We will incorporate some of the aspects in the budget
announcement,” said the official.
Residents have
welcomed the move. “This is an opportunity for residents to voice their
opinion openly to senior officials without intervention by councillors.
There have been some grievances in the past two years. Some officials
have resolved our civic issues; some have not,” Viswamitra Kanuri, a
resident of Kodambakkam, said.
“We spoke to the
councillor for solving some of the civic problems. They are unable to
take efforts. The meeting gives us hope,” said N. Arivazhagan, another
resident.
A.Noorjahan, councillor of ward 121, said
councillors were putting their best foot forward to tackle civic issues
in their respective wards. “But some of the demands made by residents
may not be easy to meet without support of all officials and the
council. Some administrative aspects may impede civic development. So
this meeting will be unique in solving some unsolved problems.”