The Hindu             20.06.2013

Construct rainwater harvesting structures in towns, people told

Rallies to increase awareness about the importance of rainwater harvesting were taken out in Krishnagiri and Hosur towns on Wednesday.

A large number of students from various schools in both towns participated in the rallies, which were flagged off by the respective Municipal Chairmen K. Balakrishnan (Hosur) and K.R.C. Thangamuthu (Krishnagiri) in front of the municipality offices.

Students raised slogans asking the people to create structures in their homes and offices to harvest rainwater effectively.

Soil moisture

The rainwater harvesting will help increase soil moisture levels and improve the groundwater level through artificial recharge.

An effective harvesting system would also help prevent flooding during rain in the urban areas. The government extends assistance for the construction of the rainwater harvesting structures, they told the people.

They also urged the people to safeguard water bodies such as ponds and wells, as they would increase groundwater levels in the surrounding areas.

The rally taken out by students was organised by the Municipalities concerned, and passed through several important thoroughfares in the towns.

Students distributed handbills carrying information on rainwater harvesting.

The Hindu              18.06.2013

Thuvakudi municipality starts functioning from new building

Special Correspondent

The Thuvakudi municipality started functioning from the newly constructed administrative building along the Tiruchi-Thanjavur highway.

The office of the local body used to function from the basement of a water tank that could not accommodate more than 10 persons. The 535 square metres new office, declared open recently by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, was constructed at a cost of Rs. 65 lakhs.

Henceforth, the meeting of municipal council would be conducted in a spacious meeting hall in the administrative office.

The vacancy of Municipal Commissioner was filled in the recent postings made through Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission. According to the new Municipal Commissioner Sudha, initiatives have been taken to beef up the strength of sanitation staff. Nine more persons would be recruited through the employment exchange, she said.

Municipal Chairman E. Kayambu said while sanitation requires utmost attention at the moment, the local body was also facing shortage of plumbers and electricians.