Urban News

The Hindu 15.03.2010

A class in corporate social responsibility

Staff Reporter

TIRUCHI: Industrialists in Tiruchi region had an opportunity to learn about the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) strategies to be adopted for well-planned economic development and employment generation from their counterparts in Coimbatore during a panel discussion on ‘Building Modern Economy in Tier II & III Cities' organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Tiruchi Zone.

Ways of bridging urban-rural divide through inclusive growth, the Government's role in accelerating human resource development suiting industrial needs; the ambience that investors look for before planning their investments in a non-metro city; the synergy that could be created by a joint approach by the Government, industries, and industry organisations; and the imperative need for transforming the demographic advantage of India to put the country in a higher trajectory of economic growth ranked top among the points deliberated upon during the meet held on Friday.

Chaired by Rani Muralidharan, Chairperson, MSME Panel, CII Tiruchi Zone, the other panellists comprised C.K. Ranganathan, Chairman, CII Tamil Nadu; Nandini Rangaswamy, Vice-Chairperson, CII Tamil Nadu; A.R. Bodkhe, Assistant Executive Director, Dalmia Cements (Bharat) Ltd.; and Mathew K., General Manager, Elgi Equipments Ltd.

The sense of pride with which Ms. Rangaswamy and Mr. Mathew explained the developmental role of industries based in and around Coimbatore through starting hospitals and educational institutions came in for appreciation from the participants. “By starting institutions the industries not only create the workforce for their own requirements but also fulfil the human resource needs of the region,” said Mr. Mathew.

Ms. Rangaswamy dwelt on the significance in devoting attention on the predominantly middle class population in Tier II and III cities, which, she said, constituted the driving force of knowledge economy. The country could make the most of its demographic advantage of a higher composition of youth population by bridging skill gaps. She emphasised on creation of educational, ICT and physical infrastructure through public-private partnership for bringing about inclusive growth.

The Hindu 15.03.2010

Co-ordination among government agencies stressed

Special Correspondent

COIMBATORE: A meeting here on Wednesday of the City Development Committee, formed to carry out infrastructure development for the World Classical Tamil Conference here in June, stressed co-ordination among the government agencies in implementing various works.

Held at the Coimbatore Corporation under the chairmanship of Mayor R. Venkatachalam, the meeting did a stock-taking of the status of road, drainage, park and other works.

Collector P. Umanath, the co-ordinator of the committee, called for co-ordination when Deputy Mayor of the city and Deputy Chairman of the committee N. Karthik pointed out that many electricity poles had not been shifted and these held up the Corporation's road works.

The Collector wanted the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board to speed up its work, especially the shifting of the poles. “You have got more funds than what you had asked for. So, there is no reason for the delay,” he told the officials of the board who attended the meeting.

Agreeing with the board that it was implementing works at a fairly good pace, the Collector said some specific ones needed to be speeded up in order to enable other agencies carry out their projects.

The other co-ordinator of the committee, Corporation Commissioner Anshul Mishra, asked the Electricity Board officials to provide a schedule of the works they planned to carry out on the Corporation's roads.

The Collector also drew the attention of the officials of the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board to the Deputy Mayor's appeal that scarcity of Pilloor water should be avoided during the conference.

Mr. Karthik said two line bursts had occurred recently, disrupting the supply of drinking water under the Pilloor scheme.

Already, the North and East zones of the Corporation were experiencing shortage of water.

“We do not want people protesting on the roads over disruption in water supply during the conference,” he said.

The Collector asked the water board officials whether a comprehensive maintenance could be done before the conference in order to avoid leakage or bursts during its conduct.

The Corporation Commissioner said that the State Government had sanctioned Rs. 26 crore to carry out improvements to or widening of 76 roads (totally 75 km).

So far, seven road works had been completed at Rs. 1.22 crore. Works were on in the case of 38 roads.

“Works have been initiated in the case of 23 roads. We will complete all the works by May 31,” he said.

Mr. Mishra said works to lay bore well water and drinking water lines at Rs. 90 lakh had begun in and around CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex, the conference venue.

Works for improvements to public toilets at Rs.87 lakh and to Corporation school toilets at Rs.50 lakh had just started. The process of procuring 60 mobile toilets at Rs. 3.46 crore and employ conservancy workers on contract had been started.

Improvements to marriage halls and community halls at Rs. 94 lakh and the installation of streetlights, high-mast lamps and the developing of roadside parks were some of the other works.