The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Reader's Mail

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 07, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Reader's Mail

Red tape ties up loan applications

When I approached two branches of a nationalised bank a few years back for a loan, I was asked by both the banks to come after two or three months as they were doing loan recovery work. I was surprised and shocked to hear this.

Recently, I approached one of the two branches that I had earlier tried to get a loan from. The manager insisted that either my salary should be drawn through the branch or that my office should deduct the monthly instalments from my salary and remit it to the branch. Even two guarantees and post-dated cheques were not enough to convince the manager. I felt the conditions to be extraordinary.

It is not possible for all loan seekers to draw their salaries through the particular branch in which they are applying for a loan or to get the employer to remit the repayment amount to the bank.

I do not know whether these conditions are mandatory in all nationalised banks. When spending so much on printing pamphlets, advertisements, organising loan melas etc. and asking people to seek loans, the banks should list the criteria for getting loans which will save the time and energy of the loan applicant.

K. S. Srikanthan,

Triplicane

Provide chairs in EB office

While the TamilNadu Electricity Board (TNEB) has modernized its office (in Anna Nagar), people still have to stand in line, even senior citizens and women who come with their children. I request that the office adopt the seating arrangements system used in railway ticket issuing counters and big hospitals. The seating arrangements can easily be provided since considerable space is available at the Anna Nagar office.

Nelvoy Varadhan,

Chennai

Supply LPG cylinders on time

The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has fixed a time limit of 21 days between supply of 14.2 kg LPG cylinders for domestic use. But after 21 days, when we go to our gas agency asking for another cylinder, they take 10 more days to effect the supply. The reason stated is less reduced supply by IOC. This is causing great inconvenience to consumers. As a 2-cylinder owner, I do not get any kerosene from ration shop. To avoid this inconvenience to consumers, I request the IOC to either scrap the 21-day limit as in 2002, or at least reduce it to 15 days and increase cylinder supply to gas agencies.

N. Samsundar,

Kolathur

BSNL bill payment date

In response to several letters published in the `Reader's Mail' column, the BSNL authorities changed the `Pay by Date' from the month end to the first week of next month of the `billing date'. This meant that the bill dated May 8, 2006 was to be paid by June 5, 2006. This made it easy for us to pay the bill. But, the present bill dated July 8, 2006 says that it should be paid by July 31, 2006. Will the BSNL keep changing the date each time? This may be an oversight, but it is proving a burden to the customers. Will the BSNL authorities look into the matter?

T. Manoharan,

Valasarawakkam

Renovate park in Tambaram

Due to the foresight and vision of planners of yesteryears, Muthurangam Park came into existence in a central location in Tambaram. Similar to Panagal Park in T.Nagar, it was well maintained by the local authorities till the70s when encroachments started. Two temples suddenly cropped with the connivance of local politicians, this being a money spinning business in this busy commercial area. When Mr. Santhanam, I.A.S., was Commissioner of Tambaram Municipality, he put up notice boards warning the public that these temples were unauthorised and illegally constructed on encroached land. The temples have been expanding since, and the constant blare of loudspeakers in the temples and the shops around the site makes it a nightmare for residents and nearby hospitals. The government should restore the park and rid it of encroachments.

S. V. Raghavan,

Tambaram

Street signs are badly needed

It is more than a decade since Sastri Nagar, Adyar, became a well developed area. But, still the important roads in the locality such as First Avenue, First Main Road and Mahatma Gandhi Road do not have signboards at both ends. So, people find it difficult to locate the roads. The Corporation should set up nameboards without further delay.

P. V. Srinivasan,

Sastri Nagar

Get rid of the autos

Chennai's auto drivers have been criticised for long. The Government has given permits to 45,000 autos only. But more than twice (or) thrice the number is found plying in and around the City. It is high time to survey illegal autos, autos running without valid documents and those with fake permits. Permits are also allegedly sold in the black market. I would like to request the authorities not to renew the existing permits for autorickshaws. It is better to convert these auto permits to four-wheeler battery operated bus permits. The Government could also give subsidy to them. This would definitely reduce congestion, and air and noise pollution. The public can also commute with ease. It is enough if the buses ply at 30 to 40 km an hour. Three-wheelers create a nuisance inside and outside the city, and many ply illegally. They evade tax and cause loss to the Government. Will the authorities look into the problem?

G. S. Rajan,

Velachery

Check mosquito menace

The mosquito menace in the residential areas of R.A. Puram has assumed alarming proportions, of late. Earlier, chemicals used to be sprayed, with civic workers visiting all the apartments/flats. This arrangement has been given a go-by now for reasons best known to the civic agency.

Fogging used to be conducted off and on, but, unfortunately, this too has evidently been stopped. Various mosquito-related health problems are on the increase in the recent months.

We request the Corporation of Chennai to initiate necessary steps, including intense fogging operations, to mitigate the growing health problem and extend relief to the residents of the area.

P. H. Krishnamurthy,

R.A. Puram

Consider pensioners' plight

We welcome the Tamil Nadu Government's announcement of the full pension scheme for 30 years service. At the same time, we request the Government to consider the plight of those who retired between April 1, 2003 and July 31, 2006 without arrears till the effect date.

S. Vajjiram

Ambattur

Triplicane

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