The Hindu 25.02.2010

Corporation man’s detention spurs protest

Special Correspondent

TIRUCHI: Employees of the Tiruchi Corporation staged a demonstration in front of the Corporation office on Wednesday protesting the brief detention of a junior assistant by the police based on a complaint from a city resident while the civic employee was engaged in field verification of the voters list details.

According to sources, the incident took place when K.Ramesh, the junior assistant, was engaged in field verification of the voters who had migrated/died in Tiruchi West. When Ramesh was trying to get a copy of death certificate from one of the residents at Keezh Kandi Street, the resident had called the police reportedly suspecting him of stealing his mobile phone.

Ramesh was said to have been taken to the police station though he had shown his identity card and explained the purpose of his visit. Since the Inspector was not available at the station, Ramesh was asked to report later after furnishing his address and phone number.

Demanding action against the resident who had given a false complaint and the police men for detaining a Corporation official on duty, Corporation employees staged the demonstration. Senior police officials arrived at the scene and promised to look into their grievance.

The Hindu 24.02.2010

Development works inaugurated

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: A total of 85 development works undertaken by the Chennai Corporation in various parts of the city were recently inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin . These include renovated and new parks, public health centres and school buildings.

After unveiling a plaque listing all the projects at the renovated Panagal Park, Mr. Stalin said that Rs.20 crore has been spent towards upgrading existing facilities or providing new ones. About Rs.1.3 crore was spent on renovating Panagal Park, which is one of the oldest such facilities in the city.

As part of the renovation work, a lotus pond, an open-air theatre with a seating capacity of 100 persons and a children’s play area have been created at the park. Close to 89 advertisement billboards on the boundaries, which were obstructing the view of the park, have been removed, said a Corporation official.

One of the eight parks that were opened is a new facility created opposite the Koyambedu bus terminal at a cost of Rs.2 crore, Mr.Stalin said.

A sum of Rs.15 crore has been allocated for taking up improvement works at Natesan Park in T.Nagar and Anna Nagar Tower Park.

On complaints about inadequate maintenance of many of the small parks, Mr. Stalin said that the option of appointing private contractors for the maintenance is being considered.