The Hindu 22.06.2010
Don't re-tender sanitation works to private firms: councillors
Special Correspondent
SALEM: Expressing dissatisfaction over the performance of a private firm, which has been entrusted with the works of garbage removal and drainage cleaning in 21 wards in the city, councillors have urged the Salem Corporation not to re-tender sanitation works to private firms saying that the city is stinking.
Participating in the council meeting here on Monday, the councillors urged the Corporation authorities to seek the opinion of the public and the councillors on the issue before deciding further. Till then, the decision to award tenders to any private firm should be put on hold, they demanded.
They also said that the private firm had not done justice to its work. Garbage heaps could be seen in every corner of the streets and roads while drainage remained choked and silted.
Pattali Makkal Katchi councillor Dhanasekar insisted that conservancy works should be done by the civic body and no private firm should be employed further. He pointed out that mosquito menace had increased manifold. No proper fumigation was done in many wards. Hence, the Corporation's Health Department must take immediate efforts to eradicate the proliferation of mosquitoes, he added.
AIADMK councillor Geethasekaran said that garbage was not removed daily in her ward. Residents blamed the people's representatives for the tardy removal. Sundar of DMK also insisted that the Corporation should undertake the sanitation works. Dharmalingam of Congress also expressed the same view.
Mayor J. Rekha Priyadarshini said that she would consult all before taking any decision on this issue. She further pointed out that works to the tune of Rs. 24.56 crore were being undertaken in four divisions. Commissioner K. S. Palanisamy said that as per the government guidelines the conservancy works were given to the private firm. Tenders had been called again for the same, he said.
