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Top officials face rap over sewage deaths

Thursday, 25 November 2010 05:37 administrator
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The Deccan Chronicle  25.11.2010

Top officials face rap over sewage deaths

Nov. 24: The Madras high court on Tuesday directed the secretary to government, municipal administration and water supply department and the managing director of Chennai Metro Water to appear before the court on December 6 in connection with a contempt of court case relating to manual scavenging.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice M.Y. Eqbal and Justice T.S. Sivagnanam posted further hearing of the contempt application filed by journalist A. Narayanan to December 6.

“We have perused the additional affidavit filed by the petitioner who is appearing before us in person and also the newspaper cuttings produced by him, which prima facie show that the authorities are bent upon violating and disobeying directions issued by this court,” the bench said, noting that at least two people died while cleaning underground sewage lines after the court last adjourned the case.

The government pleader was directed to file reply to the additional affidavit filed by the petitioner and also state the government’s response to the death of two workers as has been reported in the newspapers.

“Since a prima facie case has been made, we direct the secretary to government, municipal administration and water supply department as well as the chairman/managing director of Chennai Metro Water to appear in person before the court on December 6 in order to justify their inaction,” the bench added.

Originally, on a PIL from Mr Narayanan, the high court had on November 20, 2008, banned the entry of human beings in manholes and septic tanks in the state. When the order was not implemented, he filed a contempt application and the court passed five specific orders including formation of a committee to make recommendations on how to improve the drainage system.

Last Updated on Thursday, 25 November 2010 05:39
 

Corporation gearing up to face flood impact

Wednesday, 24 November 2010 04:18 administrator
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The Hindu      24.11.2010

Corporation gearing up to face flood impact

Staff Reporter
Eight schools being kept ready to accommodate victims

MADURAI: With the Vaigai river in spate and water stagnation reported in low-lying areas, the Corporation has made elaborate arrangements to rehabilitate those who may get affected by the flood.

The local body has kept ready eight Corporation schools on either side of the Vaigai river to accommodate flood-affected people, Corporation Commissioner S. Sebastine said.

Protected drinking water, sanitation and food facilities would be arranged at the schools.

Corporation staff had been making announcements through public address system, cautioning people living along the banks of the Vaigai to move to places of safety. Low-lying areas, especially in Ellis Nagar, Muthupatti and Mehaboobpalayam, had been inundated. Efforts had been taken to drain water using earth-movers.

“However, the water is draining very slowly as the flow of water in the Vaigai is to its brim,” Mr. Sebastine said.

Chlorination of drinking water was being done. Medical teams had been formed to attend to the needy. Adequate medicines had been stocked at all the Corporation hospitals.

He asked the people to drink boiled water and protect themselves from the spread of water-borne diseases.

Special teams comprising men, machine and vehicles had been kept ready to attend to emergency calls as more water was expected in the river through the night, he said.

Control room

The Madurai Corporation has installed a round-the-clock control room to reach out to people in need of help. Residents can dial 0452 2538080 or 2530521 to report water logging, tree fall or for any assistance during rains and floods.

 

Rs.9.40 lakh allotted for amenities in Srirangam

Tuesday, 23 November 2010 04:06 administrator
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The Hindu      23.11.2010

Rs.9.40 lakh allotted for amenities in Srirangam

Special Correspondent
Photo:R. Ashok

drawing up plans:Mayor S. Sujatha chairing a meeting of the Corporation Council in Tiruchi on Monday.

TIRUCHI: The City Corporation has allotted Rs.9.40 lakh for providing basic amenities to devotees and pilgrims visiting Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple on the occasion of Vaikunta Ekadasi festival to be celebrated from December 6 to 27, said S.Sujatha, Mayor.

Presiding over the urgent meeting of the Corporation Council held here on Tuesday, Ms.Sujatha said that 200 temporary sanitary workers would be pressed into service and public health programmes would be taken up throughout the festival. Temporary toilets would be set up at important places in Srirangam, she said.

The Commissioner T.T.Balsamy, said that the Corporation had evolved a comprehensive plan for the implementation of civic facilities during the course of the festival.

The state government had sanctioned Rs.25 crore towards first instalment under the 'special road scheme' for providing road facility in the city. The meeting adopted resolutions approving the works for re-laying and laying roads which remained neglected for years.

Initiating a discussion in this regard, a group of AIADMK councillors alleged that the authorities had selected works according to their whims and fancies. The Corporation had meted out step-motherly treatment to the AIADMK wards, they alleged.

In reply, the Mayor said more funds would be sanctioned in course of time. The Corporation, in its plan, had sought Rs.40 crore for executing various works under the scheme and the state government had released the first instalment.

J. Srinivasan and P. Krishnamurthy (both AIADMK) and T. Ramamurthy (MDMK) wanted more funds for their wards. Balamurugan (DMK) pleaded for recruiting candidates to fill up the post of drivers.

Referring to the recent demolition of a wall in his ward, V. Ayyalsamy, felt that the matter had been sensationalised, resulting in panic in his ward. “I would have demolished the wall within a few hours without any panic”, he said. The Commissioner replied that police bandobust was provided as a precautionary measure in the area.

The council rejected a resolution pleading for no-objection certificate from the Corporation for constructing a multiplex air-conditioned twin theatre in Ponmalai ward.

Councillors said rejecting the plea that the traffic congestion posed a serious prroblem in the area and the construction of the theatre would further aggravate the situation.

 
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