The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Corporation to revive `joint committee' system

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 26, 2007
ePaper

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Corporation to revive `joint committee' system

Staff Reporter

Civic body to work together with government agencies

CIVIC FORUM: Mayor M. Subramanian (extreme right) and Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni listen to questions raised by councillors at the Council meeting in Chennai on Wednesday. — Photo: K. Pichumani

Chennai : The Chennai Corporation Council on Wednesday resolved to revive the system of `joint committees' involving various government agencies in the city to provide better services to the public.

"The Council has agreed to revive the practice of working with agencies such as the Metrowater Board, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, Fire and Rescue Services, Public Libraries department and Slum Clearance Board.

The committees will be formed after the State government's approval," the Mayor M. Subramanian said at the Council meeting.

He said the Local Administration Minister M. K. Stalin had initiated the practice of having such committees when he was the Mayor. Every joint committee will have also three ward councillors, who will be elected by the Council. The committees will conduct a monthly internal meeting and a meeting under the Mayor's chairmanship once every quarter.

Stormwater drains

Mr. Subramanian said new stormwater drains were being constructed in various parts of the city.

As on March 31, about 20 km of the SWD were laid at a cost of Rs. 8.20 crore. In the second phase, 25 km of SWD would be constructed at a cost of Rs. 10 crore by August 31 and in the third phase 6.5 km of drains would be completed at a cost of Rs. 5 crore by October 15.

The Council passed a resolution to raise funds for large-scale projects by issuing tax-free bonds. The Corporation requires about Rs. 236 crore to contribute its share of funding for major schemes such as flyovers, solid waste management, storm water drains and concrete roads in slums.

Of the total cost estimate of Rs. 559.29 crore for this year, the Centre's Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission grant amounts to Rs. 279.65 crore and the State will fund Rs. 43.75 crore. The Council sought the State government's permission to issue tax-free bonds.

Municipal bonds usually yield low interest but are preferred by large taxpayers, who want revenue earned through the bonds to be tax-free. The maturity period of these bonds is ten years. A credit rating agency will have to certify the Corporation before it could issue the bonds.

New bus shelters

The Mayor said bus shelters across the city would be revamped. A uniform and unique design would be chosen for the 350 shelters in the city.

They would also provide advertising space.

The Corporation would also take up the maintenance of 74 bus route roads, which were taken over by the Highways Department in 2002 and returned subsequently.

It would no longer have to make payments for the maintenance of these roads to the Highways Department. A total of 153 resolutions were passed at the Council meeting.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu