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Officials under fire at Corpn. Council meeting

Friday, 01 July 2011 04:28 administrator
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The Hindu        01.07.2011

Officials under fire at Corpn. Council meeting

Special Correspondent

‘Private firm has not been able to keep 21 wards clean'

Expressing dissatisfaction:Councillors engage in heated arguments over poor disposal of garbage by private firm SRP, during the Salem Corporation council meeting on Thursday. -Photo: P. Goutham

Expressing dissatisfaction:Councillors engage in heated arguments over poor disposal of garbage by private firm SRP, during the Salem Corporation council meeting on Thursday. -Photo: P. Goutham

Councillors cutting across party affiliations slammed the Salem Corporation officials for not taking action against the private firm SRP for its failure to maintain proper sanitation in 21 wards, which the Bangalore-based firm has been entrusted with.

The issue was raised in the Salem Corporation's council meeting here on Thursday in which the councillors, led by the DMK's councillor and Asthampatti Zonal chairman Natesan, asked the Commissioner S. Natarajan and Mayor J. Rekha Priyadarshini to explain why the civic body was reluctant to take action against the private firm which had failed to clear garbage and clean chocked sewage channels.

“Everywhere the garbage heaps can be seen and drainage channels are overflowing. Because of the tardy collection of garbage the city is facing a serious health hazard,” he said and also wondered why the private firm was allowed to continue when the councillors from all parties had even submitted a petition earlier demanding the cancellation of its license.

Development work

He also charged that despite good tax collection in his zone, the Corporation had not undertaken any development work worth Rs. 1 lakh.

The councillors also said that water supply in the city had become worse and many pockets were going without water for more than 15 days.

Endorsing these views and also demanding stern action, a few also staged a brief sit-in agitation in the well of the house. Commissioner Natarajan said that he would take necessary action.

AIADMK councillors also charged that the Mayor had not anything for city.

Besides many other civic issues such as the demand to expedite the on-going development schemes in the city were discussed at the council meeting.

Many councillors complain that garbage heaps can be seen everywhere and drains overflow

Last Updated on Friday, 01 July 2011 04:30
 

Debate over non-functional street lamps darkens municipal meeting

Friday, 01 July 2011 04:22 administrator
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The Hindu      01.07.2011

Debate over non-functional street lamps darkens municipal meeting

Staff Reporter

Councillors resent roads dug up for drainage work resulting in water logging

STANDOFF:Chandramohan, Chairperson, presiding over the municipal council meeting in Nagapattinam on Thursday.–Photo: B.Velankanni Raj

STANDOFF:Chandramohan, Chairperson, presiding over the municipal council meeting in Nagapattinam on Thursday.–Photo: B.Velankanni Raj

Non-functional streetlights, water logging in tsunami housing colonies and outstanding payments to contractors, were the dominant issues discussed at the monthly municipal council meeting chaired by Chandramohan, Chairperson here on Thursday.

The AIADMK councillors brought to the notice of the municipal commissioner the non-functional streetlights in their wards, condemning laxity of the municipal administration.

Councillor of ward eight Tamim Ansari (CPI) said streets leading to the Nagore Dargah had no functioning lamps, posing safety concerns for the pilgrims.

On the ongoing underground drainage works in the town, many councillors voiced their displeasure over the roads randomly dug up, which had damaged drinking water pipes causing water logging.

Barani Kumar (AIADMK) said the municipal administration should ease procedures for incineration at the newly launched biogas-based crematorium under the municipality.

Cremation procedure

As of date, a doctor's certificate of death was required to book a slot for cremation. Securing a doctor's certificate was possible for those who underwent treatment at the government hospital. If death happened at home or in a private nursing home, the municipal commissioner should issue the certificate, Mr.Kumar said. It was suggested that the municipality run its own morgue vans which would provide cost-effective service to the people besides fetching revenue for the municipality.

An AIADMK councillor pointed out that there were several instances of outstanding payments to contractors and this had made them wary of taking up municipality's works.

K.Sivakumar, Commissioner, assured the councillors that complaints and grievances would be looked into at the earliest.

Last Updated on Friday, 01 July 2011 04:24
 

Fireworks expected at council meeting

Wednesday, 15 June 2011 05:24 administrator
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The Hindu        15.06.2011

Fireworks expected at council meeting

S. Sundar

First meeting after change of guard in the State

The first council meeting of Madurai Corporation to be held on Wednesday after the Assembly Election is expected to witness some fireworks as the opposition parties have gained moral strength with their new alliance and change of guard in the State.

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has now got support of its allies Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK).

The AIADMK enjoys the support of only 25 councillors (AIADMK 11; DMDK seven and CPI(M) six and one DMK councillor, Chelladurai, who has switched loyalty to the AIADMK post election).

Upbeat mood

However, the partymen are in an upbeat mood with the massive victory the alliance had in the election by sweeping all the 10 seats in the district, including all the four in the city, which falls under the Madurai Parliamentary Constituency represented by Union Minister M.K. Alagiri.

The stern action by the Corporation officials in evicting many of the unauthorised shops in all the bus stands in the city is seen as the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the local body losing its control over the officials.

Ruling party councillors did not raise their voice even against removing those shops that were “authorised” by the council to be constructed replacing the passenger waiting hall.

The presence of large number of visitors accompanied AIADMK councillors and party men on the Corporation office is also an indication of the main opposition party in the council displaying its new political vigour.

It would also be interesting to note how the DMDK members fare in the council meeting after the party got “recognition” from the Election Commission following its massive victory in the Assembly election.

Change of status

The party members were treated as independents so far. They got very little chance to participate in the discussion and were not allotted seats as done for recognised parties.

The party has seven councillors, which is more than the number of members the DMK ally, Congress party has.

It has to been seen whether the party members would be allotted separate seating in the council hall based on its strength.

Different seats

The CPI (M) councillor, M. Palanichamy, who joined the DMK before the polls and Mr. Chelladurai might be allotted different seats.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 June 2011 05:26
 
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