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

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 04, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Reader's Mail

TNEB pensioners

Based on the orders of the Tamil Nadu Administrative Tribunal, the Government of Tamil Nadu gave relief to pensioners by increasing the total of basic Pension and related dearness allowance to those Pensioners retired after 01-06-1960 till 31-05-1988, from 01-06-1988 vide G.O. No.579 dt. 15-09-2006.

Orders have already been issued to the authorities concerned to revise the pension and pay arrears form 01-06-1988 to all eligible pensioners.

The TNEB, following the Government orders extending the pension benefits as applicable to the Government servants, had already implemented the orders originally issued in G.O. 271 dt. 15-06-1998, which had a different percentage of increase in the pension.

The present order is for adoption of uniform percentage of pension to pensioners drawing more than Rs.500/- per month and are in continuation to the orders already issued in G.O. 271 dt 15-06-1998.

Pensioners hope that the Chairman of TNEB will take a sympathetic approach and arrange to implement the revised orders and pay arrears at the earliest possible time.

C.N. Parameswaran,

Chennai-600045.

Rainy season plays havoc

Come rainy season, the residents of Swamy Nagar, Madhavaram face untold hardships. The water logging in our area is bad, almost knee deep. The stench emanating from the stagnant water is unbearable.

This is right behind the municipal office in Madhavaram, paradoxically. One wonders what the authorities have been doing.

Our representations to the elected representatives and to the authorities have not helped. We hope that at least after seeing this complaint, the authorities will look into the matter.

P. K. Sheik Peer,

Madhavaram

Boon to residents

The 67 per cent excess rainfall as recorded by the State Ground Water & Surface Water data resource centre (The Hindu, 29-11-2006) is good news for the citizens of Chennai.

The mandatory rainwater harvesting scheme implemented successfully during 2003 is a boon to residents.

The RD & LA department should continue its campaign promoting RWH structures and keep monitoring it before the monsoon.

This will go a long way toward solving the drinking water crisis.

K. Ramdoss,

Ayanavaram

State's power needs

It's time to look at the State's power needs during 11th plan (2007-12) period. Indications suggest an 8 per cent growth rate on 9,000 MW demand and 160 mu av. / day at present i.e. 5,000 MW additional capacity and 30,000 MW more energy by the last year of XI plan period.

This should naturally come from State sector projects, joint ventures, IPPs and share from Central sector projects; matching transmission lines and substations have to be in place besides reforms in distribution and accent on wind / solar energy with thrust on energy efficiency (conservation) measures in pumping and lighting loads all over.

This will entail an investment at 1/3 rd of State plan outlay against 25 per cent now (Rs.8,000 cr. vis-à-vis Rs.40,000 cr. for current plan); with a strategy of limited reliance on outside sources, we need to revive Pandiar Punnapuzha and Hogenakkal projects, mending fences with neighbouring States. Anil Ambani's 1,000 MW project in North Chennai is a shot in the arm.

P. Janakiraman,

Chennai-102

More customer-friendly

One of my relatives received a cheque from L.I.C. of India, Tiruvellore branch drawn on Syndicate Bank, Tiruvallore branch (Chq. No. 0923741/ dt. 26-10-2006) for the sum of Rs. 6,547/- which was deposited in the Bharath Overseas Bank, Adambakkam branch on 31-10-2006.

Fifteen days have passed, but we are not sure of the fate of the cheque. Despite regular follow-ups, the ready-made reply was "payment not received."

The Adambakkam branch staff asked us to get the telephone number of the Syndicate Bank, Tiruvellore branch. I finally dialled "197" and got the number (27660294) and immediately on 15-11-2006 contacted the officer concerned at Tiruvellore, and was told that the payment will be credited the next day.

After two days, the amount was received.

But I wish to know why Adambakkam branch should not have a list of telephone numbers of other branches; is it not their responsibility to have the details. Will the authorities look into this?

S. Rajagopalan,

Adambakkam

No increase in channels

It is not known why the Direct to Home (DTH) bouquet channels of Doordarshan have not been increased since the service was set in motion two years ago with a lot of fanfare and advertisements in the print and electronic media. Hopes that the successful launching by the ISRO's INSAT 4A satellite a year ago would enhance and improve quality dramatically of the DTH and add more channels have been belied.

Once the channels are switched on, there is an instant "no signal" display, resulting in delay at times. Further, when a fault occurs, the technicians demand Rs. 300/- per visit, which is highly deplorable. A number of private Dish TV operators are now wooing the subscribers.

I appeal to the DTH authorities to increase the channels three fold by January 2007 at the latest and provide a more efficient and competent service, to attract more subscribers.

S. Gopalan,

Maraimalai Nagar

Street lights

In recent weeks, very few streetlights are burning on Ritherdon Road, Vepery. With dusk setting in early now, this busy road gets dark by 5-30 p.m. causing considerable inconvenience to pedestrians, particularly women and the elderly.

Will the corporation authorities take the necessary steps and restore the streetlights without further delay?

J. W. Thomas

Chennai

Swift action by EB

I am a senior citizen, aged 65. There were frequent power failures occurring in our house in Trustpuram, Kodambakkam. I represented this to the A.E. and L.I. Immediately they deputed their men to dig the road to locate the fault. In spite of heavy rains, the team led by the above A.E. and L.I. found the faulty cable and replaced it, thus restoring the power supply to our house.

I am really thankful to the A.E., L.I. and the staff for their quick response.

N. Venkataraman,

Chennai

Increase bus services

During the rush hour, commuters from Pammal are facing difficulty in catching a bus to Poonamallee. The frequency is very poor.

The buses from Tambaram to Poonamallee are already crowded. Moreover the buses do not come on time.

The time keepers at Tambaram and Poonamallee are absent. They should instruct the crews to take the buses 15 minutes apart.

The authorities should take action to increase bus services from Poonamallee to Pallavaram (M 66) between 8-00 a.m. and 10-00 a.m. / 5-00 p.m. and 7-00 p.m.

R. Balaji,

Pammal

Property tax demand card

The Corporation of Chennai had provided house owners "Property Tax Demand Card" commencing from the first half year of 1998 to second half year of 2005-2006 for easy facilitation of payment of house tax. House tax for every half-year was paid through Central Co-Operative Bank, one of the banks authorised by the Corporation to receive the tax.

The bank receives the tax and makes an entry in the space relevant to half-year in the property tax demand card duly signed and the bank's seal affixed thereon.

Thus the process of payment of house tax was going on well till the second half year of 2005 - 2006.

The tax demand card is now exhausted and there was no provision for continuing payment of tax from first half-year of 2006 - 2007.

Some how, the tax for the first half year of 2006 - 2007 was paid.

The second half year of 2006 - 2007 i.e. Oct. 2006 - Mar. 2007 is fast approaching. Still the house owners are not issued fresh property tax demand cards till date.

The Corporation should take necessary steps to issue "Property Tax Demand Cards" at the earliest.

M. Gurumurthy,

Chennai

Stray cattle at Pozhichalur

The residents of Bajanai Koil Street, Puzhichalur find it very difficult to motor or walk on the road because of stray cattle and dogs in the area. The dogs often chase the vehicles.

he problem is worsened by the poor condition of the road. Lorries drive by at high speed, unmindful of the school located there.

Stagnant water on the roadsides encourages mosquitoes to breed. It is requested that the authorities concerned should take proper action.

R. Radhakrishnan,

Pozhichalur

Wine shop problems

A Tasmac wine shop is functioning in Shanthi Nikethan Colony, Madambakkam at Plot no. 41, from 2004 May at Shop no-3.

Shop no-1 was an electrical shop, Shop no-2 a textile shop, Shop nos-4 & 5 were functioning as a Ration shop. Gradually, the shop nos- 1 & 2, 4 & 5 started vacating due to problems created by wine shop customers.

The Madambakkam Government Higher Secondary School is situated on the western end of Shanthi Nikethan Colony third cross street.

There are two temples, namely Vinayagar Temple at Shanthi Nikethan Colony and Karumariamman Temple at Sudarsan Nagar.

There are hundreds of homes surrounding the Tasmac shop. It is not possible for students, especially teenage girls, and devotees to visit the temple and school now.

Representations to the authorities have proved futile. Recently a mass representation was sent to the Kancheepuram Collectorate.

The wine shop should be closed or shifted.

Lathasekharan,

Madambakkam

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