The Hindu             21.11.2013 

New Corporation Commissioner for prompt payment of taxes

Special Correspondent

Kiran Gurrala, who assumed charge as Commissioner of Madurai Corporation here on Wednesday, has asked people to pay taxes promptly to the Corporation.

“Once I make the preliminary assessment, priorities will be set. Good administration, and speedy and efficient service will be provided. But people have to pay Corporation taxes promptly,” he said in an informal chat with reporters.

Promising that all civic needs of the public would be fulfilled, Mr.Gurrala said he would study the financial condition of the Corporation, property tax dues and other issues before making a comprehensive plan of action.

The Commissioner said he expected the cooperation the of the city residents to achieve the set objectives. “Media and the public can bring the lapses, deficiencies and grievances to my notice, and I will work with a positive attitude,” he noted.

Earlier, Mayor V.V. Rajan Chellappa had a brief meeting with the new Commissioner. K. Leela, Deputy Commissioner, A. Mathuram, City Engineer, and other officials met the Commissioner and explained to him the various ongoing projects and activities of the Corporation.

The Hindu             21.11.2013

Erode Corpn. identifies nine locations for ‘Namma toilets’

Special Correspondent

Ill-effects of open-air defecation explained

The Corporation has identified nine locations to install user-friendly ‘Namma toilets’. The tender process would be initiated soon, Corporation Commissioner M. Vijayalakshmi said. The identified locations are ideally suited for the toilets, she said.

Only the basement would be constructed with concrete and steel.

The structure would be made of fibre-reinforced polymer material with proper ventilation. These state-of-art toilets would be installed at Soolai, Periyar Nagar (near E Block), Ayapadi, near Jeeva shed, Kothukaranpudur, Perumalmalai, Solar Nagar Suthanthrapuram, Veerapannaipudur, and Kumaran Nagar.

At each toilet block, there would be six toilets, including one for the differently-abled. There would be dustbins, mirror, hand wash and incinerators for each toilet. Each toilet block would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 20 lakh, Executive Engineer K. Arumugam said.

The State Government earlier announced it would build ‘Namma toilets’ at 385 locations across the State to provide safe sanitation to the people. Such toilets have so far been constructed in Tambaram, Tiruchi, Ooty and Coimbatore.

Solar system

The lighting is based on solar system, with sensors connected to the lighting system such that they automatically switch off when the user leaves. It is corrosion-free and has digesters to process waste and release it into the existing sewage network.

The nine ‘Namma toilets' would be an addition to the existing 245 public toilets in the 60 wards that were cleaned on Tuesday to mark the World Toilet Day. All school toilets were also cleaned, officials said.

The civic body had created awareness about the day through banners and posters at vantage points including bus stand. At prayer time, the message of hygiene was delivered to the students.

The ill-effects of open-air defecation was explained. Damaged taps and bulbs were cleaned and bushes were cleared, officials said.