Urban News

  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
Towns and Cities

Ripon Buildings has jitters over transfers

Print PDF

The Deccan Chronicle  30.09.2010

Ripon Buildings has jitters over transfers

Sept. 29: Chennai corporation is in a tizzy over the transfer of three of its top IAS officials, commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni, deputy commissioners Ashish Chatterjee and B. Jyothi Nirmala on Tuesday.

With news of transfer of another senior official doing the rounds, employees at the civic body are uncertain about the progress of projects and functioning of the departments, which they fear could be hit due to the sudden change of the top guard, particularly when the monsoon season is fast approaching.

Ms Nirmala had been in charge of the key Greater Chennai Corporation expansion plan proposed of the civic body. “The new officer will now have to go through the files pertaining to the corporation expansion plan, delimitation norms and study the field plans before executing the expansion project,” said a senior engineer of the corporation.

But the civic body will benefit from new commissioner D. Karthikeyan’s experience as a municipal commissioner in Coimbatore district. Also Anu George returns as corporation deputy commissioner after having held the same post earlier at Ripon Buildings. “The government could have executed a gradual transfer, rather than effect a mass transfer of civil servants on a single day,” a highly placed official said.

Meanwhile, mayor M. Subramanian hailed outgoing commissioner Lakhoni as a man of commitment and dedication. “He has changed the face of this historic city with his vision over the past four years,” he said while addressing a national-level sports meet for councillors.
“Lakhoni’s dedication towards improving the city’s infrastructure during his tenure fetched the corporation six national awards,” the mayor added.

 
Last Updated on Thursday, 30 September 2010 06:49
 

Fiat on submission of bids

Print PDF

The Hindu  29.09.2010

Fiat on submission of bids

Special Correspondent

TIRUCHI: Contractors bidding for Corporation tenders above the value of Rs.10 lakh need not appear in person to submit the documents and should bid only online through the website www.tntenders.gov.in , said Corporation Commissioner T.T.Balsamy.

In a release, Mr.Balsamy said the Corporation has adopted the online tender system since August 26. Currently, tenders have been called for development of West Boulevard Road and the laying of the Anna Nagar Link Road.

This apart, tenders are to be called soon under the Special Roads Scheme 2010-11 for works worth Rs.25 crore. Since all the works under the scheme would be of the value of over Rs.10 lakh, the bids should be submitted only online. The original documents should be sent to the Corporation and contractors need not appear in person .

Those who indulge in illegal activities by visiting the Corporation Office would face legal action, Mr.Balsamy cautioned.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 11:30
 

Why pay tax when no amenities are provided, ask residents

Print PDF

The Hindu  29.09.2010

Why pay tax when no amenities are provided, ask residents

Staff Reporter

Civic officials and elected representatives blamed for gross failure


Protest:Residents staging a dharna in front of Periyasemur Municipality on Tuesday demanding adequate basic amenities.

ERODE: With acute water shortage, poor sanitary conditions, stinking public toilets, the residents of Periyasemur, it seems, have had enough. Over 300 residents of various colonies gathered in front of the Periyasemur Municipality and staged a dharna here on Tuesday to protest against lack of basic amenities in their colonies, blaming the civic officials and elected representatives for their gross failure in creating adequate amenities, residents appealed to the district administration to intervene in the issue and take concrete efforts to enhance the living conditions in municipality.

“Complaints on lack of amenities were pouring in to all the offices of the civic body. But none of the officials and elected representatives care about these complaints. We continue to live under miserable conditions,” residents charged.

A majority of the residential colonies in Periyasemur municipality get water supply twice in a month. “The water supply lasts only for two hours. Many of us are forced to purchase water from private firms,” agitators pointed out.

The municipality has not made any concrete efforts to sort out the problems in water supply. “But the civic body is proper in collecting taxes from us. Strict actions are being taken up against the defaulters. Why should we pay tax to a civic body, which does not provide adequate amenities to us?” residents questioned.

Many parts in the municipality also lack public convenience facilities. “The existing public toilets are in a state of neglect. No maintenance works have been taken up in any of these toilets for the past several months,” residents alleged.

People appealed to the district administration to instruct the municipal officials to create necessary amenities in all the residential colonies in Periyasemur. The civic body should ensure uniform supply of water to all the parts. Storm water drains should be constructed in adequate numbers, they demanded.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 11:28
 


Page 158 of 275