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Tamil Nadu News Papers

Corpn. budget focusses on roads, drains and parks

Wednesday, 12 April 2017 05:35
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The Hindu       12.04.2017  

Corpn. budget focusses on roads, drains and parks

The Corporation’s total revenue is Rs. 5,578 crore  

Property tax rates unchanged; deficit is Rs. 102.56 crore

The Chennai Corporation on Tuesday released the Budget 2017-2018, which focuses on roads, stormwater drains, parks and streetlights, keeping property tax rates unchanged. The budget deficit in 2017-2018 is Rs. 102.56 crore. The deficit has been rising owing to the challenges in improving revenue from tax collection, a rise in capital expenditure and interest payment on borrowings. Tax rates have not changed since 1998.

According to budget estimates, the civic body would have a total revenue of Rs. 5,578 crore and a total expenditure of Rs. 5,680.56 crore in 2017-2018. Corporation Commissioner D. Karthikeyan released the budget data online on Tuesday as the Model Code of Conduct has been lifted. According to budget estimates for 2017-2018, the Corporation will receive a loan amount of Rs. 735 crore from various funding agencies. The interest payment on loans has increased from Rs. 14 crore in 2014-2015 to Rs. 155.1 crore in 2017-2018.

The budget estimate for capital expenditure in 2017-2018 is Rs. 2,185.95 crore. Operation and maintenance charges for 2017-2018 will be Rs. 801.93 crore because of a large number of road cuts in various parts of the city. After completion of projects by agencies such as Metrowater, roads will be relaid by the Chennai Corporation at Rs. 666.52 crore.

Stormwater drains would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 930 crore, bridges at Rs. 75 crore, streetlights at Rs. 127 crore, buildings (hospitals/schools) at Rs. 120 crore and parks at Rs. 127 crore. The estimated revenue through property tax is Rs. 800 crore and profession tax is Rs. 350 crore.

Solid waste management

The civic body has earmarked Rs. 10 crore for preliminary work on a modern solid waste processing plant in Kodungaiyur. Swachh Bharat projects will be implemented at Rs. 11.97 crore. The civic body will receive a grant of Rs. 70 crore for Amma canteens and Amma drinking water projects in various parts of the city.

The expenses on salary for employees in 2017-2018 is estimated at Rs. 971.89 crore. The civic body will pay a pension of Rs. 341 crore.

 

Multi-level car park facility planned in Kodaikanal

Wednesday, 12 April 2017 05:24
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The Hindu        12.04.2017  

Multi-level car park facility planned in Kodaikanal

Getting ready:Collector T.G. Vinay addressing a meeting to discuss arrangements for the summer festival at Kodaikanal on Tuesday.PHOTO: G. KarthikeyanG_KARTHIKEYAN  

Dindigul Collector T.G. Vinay chairs a meet ahead of summer festival

There is some good news for the tourists visiting Kodaikanal hills during this summer festival to be held in May.

There has been reports of rise in vehicle movement and traffic congestion experienced by the tourists year after year. To ease traffic congestion on the ghat section as well as on the hills, Dindigul district administration has worked out elaborate plans.

Chairing a meeting held here to discuss arrangements for the summer festival, Collector T.G. Vinay said a space for car parking would be identified. The government had issued a Government Order for the establishment of a multi-level parking in the hill station and soon the officials concerned would identify the space.

The roads leading to Kodaikanal from Palani and Batlagundu had developed potholes and required urgent repairs. He directed highways engineers to attend to them and instal signboards highlighting speed limit and other road rules for vehicle users.


The summer festival, which would be organised at Bryant Park would have more attractions this time. Horticulture department officials explained the steps taken so far. Municipal authorities elaborated on the arrangements made such as installation of additional dumper bins and mobile toilets.

The Collector wanted Food Safety Officials to keep an eye on the quality of food served in restaurants and roadside eateries. Fire and Rescue Services personnel and vehicles should be stationed at a vantage location during the summer festival, he said.

Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation authorities said additional bus services would be operated to Kodaikanal from different destinations.

Palani Sub-Collector Vineet, District Rural Development Agency Project Director Prabakaran, Municipal Commissioner Saravanan, Deputy Directors (Horticulture) Suresh Sriram and Mohanram, Tourism Officer Uma Devi and others were present.

 

Tamil Nadu government to crack down on illegal tapping of water

Wednesday, 12 April 2017 00:00
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The Times of India         12.04.2017 

Tamil Nadu government to crack down on illegal tapping of water

(Representative image)
A cute water shortage following a failed monsoon in the state has forced the government to rein in establishments tapping wa rein in establishments tapping water by illegal means. District collectors have been directed to crack down on commercial establishments that are found drawing water beyond their permissible limits.Industries are also feeling the pinch with water supply to manufacturing units getting regulated.

Commissioner for revenue administration K Satyagopal said micromanagement of water distribution had begun to cater to the immediate requirement. "Illegal tapping of water is taking place on a large scale," he said. "Illegal tapping could be by households, farmers, commercial establishments or industries. Whoever it is, we are trying to disconnect the illegal lines. Every collector has been asked to do so," Satyagopal said.

The official said commercial es tablish ments, like hotels and marriage halls, which are drawing excessive wa ter are being tracked on a regular ba sis. "Also, we are having a dialogue with the industries and regulating their supplies," Satyagopal said adding that steps are being taken to tap drinking water by putting subsurface bags at places with adequate water resources.

Asked about the water situation in Chennai, Satyagopal said, "There will be regulations but we are confident that the supply of water will be steady." Besides, water tankers will be used to supply drinking water in areas that cannot be covered by the distribution system, Satyagopal told reporters on the sidelines of a summit on climate change & disaster risk reduction.

At the event, Kamal Kishore, member, National Disaster Management Authority, said, Asian countries were losing $126 dollars every day due to natural disasters. In his address, UNICEF's chief of field office for Tamil Nadu and Kerala Job Zachariah said India loses Rs 65,000 crores every year due to natural disasters.
 
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