The Hindu 01.07.2011
Debate over non-functional street lamps darkens municipal meeting
Non-functional streetlights, water logging in tsunami housing colonies and outstanding payments to contractors, were the dominant issues discussed at the monthly municipal council meeting chaired by Chandramohan, Chairperson here on Thursday.
The AIADMK councillors brought to the notice of the municipal commissioner the non-functional streetlights in their wards, condemning laxity of the municipal administration.
Councillor of ward eight Tamim Ansari (CPI) said streets leading to the Nagore Dargah had no functioning lamps, posing safety concerns for the pilgrims.
On the ongoing underground drainage works in the town, many councillors voiced their displeasure over the roads randomly dug up, which had damaged drinking water pipes causing water logging.
Barani Kumar (AIADMK) said the municipal administration should ease procedures for incineration at the newly launched biogas-based crematorium under the municipality.
Cremation procedure
As of date, a doctor’s certificate of death was required to book a slot for cremation. Securing a doctor’s certificate was possible for those who underwent treatment at the government hospital. If death happened at home or in a private nursing home, the municipal commissioner should issue the certificate, Mr.Kumar said. It was suggested that the municipality run its own morgue vans which would provide cost-effective service to the people besides fetching revenue for the municipality.
An AIADMK councillor pointed out that there were several instances of outstanding payments to contractors and this had made them wary of taking up municipality’s works.
K.Sivakumar, Commissioner, assured the councillors that complaints and grievances would be looked into at the earliest.