The Hindu : Rs. 142.6-crore allocation for roads, footpath improvement

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 20, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Rs. 142.6-crore allocation for roads, footpath improvement

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, FEB. 19. The Chennai Corporation budget, presented today amid mass evictions of and walkouts by opposition councillors, has earmarked Rs. 142.6 crores to improve roads and footpaths in the city.

The Rs.258-crore capital outlay includes allocations of Rs. 80.6 crores to relay 700 km of the city's interior roads and Rs. 2 crores to improve footpaths. Besides, the civic body has set aside Rs.3 crores to lay roads frequently used by water tankers with `mastic' asphalt. This would prevent damage to the roads, said D. Vijayaramakrishna, Chairman, Standing Committee on Revenue and Finance, who presented the budget.

The budget provides first-phase funding of Rs. 18 crores for flyovers and subways across five railway level crossings in the city to decongest the stretches. The entire project cost is estimated at Rs.41.75 crores.

Pre-school education has received attention with an allocation of Rs. 2.5 crores to improve basic amenities, including drinking water, electricity, well-ventilated classrooms, hygienic cooking facilities and concrete flooring, at the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme centres. Science laboratories will be set up in 65 Corporation schools at a cost of Rs. 40 lakhs, Mr. Vijayaramakrishna told the Council.

The allocation for solid waste management has been increased. The civic body has drawn up a comprehensive plan to improve landfills, construct compound walls, create compost yards, provide a green belt around the dump yard and divide the yard into sectors. While the entire project is likely to cost Rs. 60 crores, the civic body has, this year, provided Rs. 18 crores as part of the first phase of the implementation. For improvement of parks and playfields, the civic body's allocation has risen to Rs. 17 crores. It has earmarked Rs. 6 crores in the first phase to develop an eco-park at Adyar Creek. It also plans to spend Rs. 2 crores to develop a thick forest cover at an unused 14-acre site near Otteri.

Desilting of storm water drains has received Rs. 22 crores during the next financial year.

Evictions

Soon after the Deputy Mayor, `Karate' R. Thiagarajan, initiated the budget session, the DMK councillors asked for copies of the budget and the Deputy Mayor's speech. In reply, the Deputy Mayor said they would be given only when the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Taxation and Finance presented the budget.

The Opposition Leader, C.V. Malayan, wanted to raise a point but was asked by the Deputy Mayor to take his seat. When he did not relent, the Deputy Mayor ordered the eviction of Mr. Malayan along with a few other DMK leaders. The entire DMK contingent followed them out.

Congress floor leader, `Royapuram' R.Mano, was also evicted when he sought to protest the Deputy Mayor's order. Other Congress councillors were marshalled out when they swarmed around the Deputy Mayor's podium in protest.

Soon, Mohammed Yaseen of the Tamil Manila Desiya League, Independent councillor O.S. Syed Masood, Gomathi of the Communist Party of India and Devi of Communist Party of India (Marxist) were also evicted. To mark his protest, Zafarullah of the Indian Union Muslim League staged a walk out. Ms. Gomathi and Ms. Devi staged a sit-in protest along the corridors of the Ripon Buildings against the Deputy Mayor's move until the police dragged them to the gate. They were let off after the opposition councillors intervened.

The budget was presented in the absence of the Opposition members.

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