Urban News

The Hindu 18.11.2009

Parties resist new tax assessment norms

Special Correspondent

Photo: M. Periasamy

BRAINSTORMING: Mayor R. Venkatachalam (left) and Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner Anshul Mishra (right) discuss new Property Tax norms and energy saving measures in streetlighting with zone and committee heads and leaders of parties in the Coimbatore Corporation Council at an all-party meeting on Tuesday. –

COIMBATORE: Parties in the Coimbatore Corporation Council rejected on Tuesday the new norms for Property Tax assessment.

The civic body said buildings in unapproved layouts were being constructed without an approved plan. As per rules, the local body or the Local Planning Authority did not approve plans of buildings that were to be built on sites in unapproved layouts. This was aimed at discouraging the formation of unapproved layouts and construction in these areas.

But, the buildings were constructed even if the plan was not approved. Consequently some of the charges to be paid to the Corporation during plan approval were not remitted. The building owners, however, applied to the Corporation for assessment of Property Tax.

Now, the Corporation wanted the plan to be submitted if tax assessment had to be made. This was aimed at ensuring that the local body got its due share of revenue. Another objective was to check unauthorised construction.

This proposal had been placed in the Corporation Council earlier for its approval. But, the parties wanted it to be discussed first at an all-party meeting. The meeting on Tuesday, however, did not make any headway as the elected representatives opposed the proposal on the grounds of financial burden on the people.

Another issue discussed at the meeting was the fixing of energy saving devices on streetlights.

The Corporation had already tied up with a private company on this. Corporation Commissioner Anshul Mishra said this project would begin on January 1.

Leader of the Opposition V.N. Udayakumar said at the meeting that the streetlights would have to function first, if the Corporation had to embark on energy-saving measures.

Mayor R. Venkatachalam, Mr. Mishra, Deputy Mayor N. Karthik and heads of zones were among those who took part in the meeting.

The Corporation has given the following phone numbers for people to report malfunctioning of streetlights: South Zone and East Zone: 96552-42250, North Zone and West Zone: 96552-42280. The public can contact Nandakumar on 96777-26698.

Repairs would be carried out within 48 hours from the receipt of complaint.

The Hindu 18.11.2009

Chennai Corporation school teachers get diploma in Montessori

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: Sixty-one kindergarten teachers of Corporation schools have armed themselves with a new degree — Diploma in Montessori Education. Thanks to the training organised by the Rotary Club of Madras East, Corporation of Chennai and Centre for Montessori Training, they now have more lessons on how to make the classroom vibrant.

At an event here on Monday, Mayor M. Subramanian gave away certificates to the teachers from the 10 Corporation zones. He said that kindergarten sections in Corporation schools were started during his tenure.

It was a joyous occasion for everyone in the auditorium.

For the teachers, all with seven to 12 years of experience, it was an achievement as they juggled school and attended this course for around 11 months to develop new skills, knowledge and attitude towards the teaching process. For the team from the Centre for Montessori Training, a unit of Kalvi Trust for Research and Education, it was the first time they prepared Montessori content in Tamil. “Montessori thoughts are different but when you have teachers who are ready to accept them as part of learning programme, it’s great,” said Meenakshi Sivaramakrishna, president, Indian Montessori Centre.

“Our emphasis was on equipping teachers with life skills and hygiene practices such that they look at the child as someone who is learning and that they have to be guides rather than teachers,” said Uma Shankar, managing trustee, Kalvi Trust for Research and Education.