The Hindu 01.12.2010
Heated exchanges at council meeting
Special Correspondent
| Sparks fly over application for putting up a building at Butfire on the Ooty-Mysore road |
'Building is proposed to come up in a swamp'
Sanction order has not yet been given, says official
Photo: D. Radhakrishnan
Stressing a point: Members arguing with the Chairman at a meeting of the Udhagamandalam Municipal Council on Tuesday. -
Udhagamandalam: Controversy surrounding the approval of a building plan led to heated exchanges at a meeting of the Udhagamandalam Municipal Council held here on Tuesday.
Application
Shortly after the meeting commenced, J.Ravi Kumar, K.A.Mustaffa and R.Ilango of the DMK adverted to an application submitted for putting up a building at Butfire on the Ooty-Mysore road and lamented that though the Council had rejected it the town planning section had subsequently given the green signal.
Stating that it had been pointed out by the Council that the land on which the building was proposed to be put up was a swamp and an existing building had started sinking, Mr.Ravikumar took exception to the town planning officials unilaterally deciding to approve the plan.
When Mr.Rajendran explained that the Geo-tech Cell had given a no objection certificate, Mr.Ravikumar and few other members contended that it was tantamount to insulting the council. With a member losing control and using foul language, the Chairman adjourned the meeting.
When it resumed the Commissioner in-charge B.Ramoorthy said that the sanction order was yet to be given.
He added that it can be kept pending until the Town Planning Officer who was away, comes back on duty.
Mr.Ravikumar alleged that irregularities are taking place continuously in the town planning section.
Mr.Mustaffa regretted the main Kodappamund channel which cut through the town is in an appalling condition and several lakh rupees spent on cleaning it had gone down the drain.
Stating that the Public Works Department is not maintaining it properly, he hoped that it would be handed over to the municipality.
Mr.Rajendran said that a proposal to take over the channel and the Ooty lake is getting ready.
Mr.Mustaffa urged the officials concerned to put an end to the misuse of the Gandhi Maidhan here.
Sewage
Regretting that sewage is overflowing in many places, Mr.Ravikumar feared that it will mar the reputation of the vacation destination.
Expressing the hope that ways would be evolved in order to keep the market clean, he said that since it was poorly lit burglaries are taking place.
George (DMK) said that the Bharathiar Complex near the threshold of the town is in a state of neglect.
