The Hindu 06.01.2011
Complaints of poor amenities dominate Corpn. Council meeting
Lack of sewage disposal facility in some areas highlighted
The Coimbatore Corporation's Council meet began on Wednesday with councillors complaining of slackness in providing basic amenities.
Leading the charge was Congress Councillor of Ward 4 P. Shobana. She said her demands for basic amenities in her ward had not been met and that people were suffering.
Roads were potholed in Surya Nagar, Kannan Nagar and neighbouring areas as well, she said and added, “Officials are un co-operative in providing basic amenities.”
Highlighting the lack of sewage disposal facility at Jagannathan Nagar, she said a Corporation primary school in the area was functioning in an unhygienic atmosphere. Children there often fell sick.
Ms. Shobana drew the Mayor's attention to the absence of sewerage at colonies off Tiruchi Road, frequent accidents caused by bad roads and a host of other issues.
In response to her complaints, the Corporation officials said works worth Rs. 1.20 crore had been carried out at her ward. But that did not cut much ice with the Councillor, who urged the Mayor to look into her demands.
Congress Councillor representing Ward 33 V.K.S.K. Senthilkumar said more than a dozen houses abutting the Sanganur Canal were about to collapse and asked Commissioner Anshul Mishra if the people living in those houses could be allotted houses on a priority basis. Mr. Mishra promised to look into the demand.
Ward 65 Councillor Asunthamary Jayaseelan wanted the Corporation middle school in Ramasamy Nagar to be upgraded to either a high or higher secondary school.
The residents of the area had been making the demand for the past eight years and the standard response from the Corporation's education wing was that the demand would soon be considered.
High school students were forced to travel to NGGO Colony, she said and requested the Commissioner to visit the school to study the problems faced by the students.
Ward 11 Councillor M. Krishnamoorthy complained that no work had been carried out in his ward. The officials, however, countered the claim with facts and figures.
After the Councillors aired their grievances and suggestions, the Council adopted resolutions fixing rent/deposits for many of its premises across the city.
It, however, withheld two resolutions on converting the payment collection mode for shops at Sreenivasapuram market and levying a fee for recycled water.
The Council decided that the Corporation could enter into a tie-up with banks for receiving tax payments.
