The Hindu : Front Page : Corporation reprimands Neel Metal

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Sunday, Dec 09, 2007
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Corporation reprimands Neel Metal

Kannal Achuthan

— file Photo: N. Sridharan

UNDER SCRUTINY: Neel Metal Fanalca will be expected to improve its services in the Kodambakkam zone in the days to come.

Chennai: Garbage clearance firm Neel Metal Fanalca (NMF) received a rap on the knuckles from the Chennai Corporation on Friday for deficiency of service in the Kodambakkam zone.

The Corporation directed NMF to put more bins in place, improve sweeping of streets, take employees on rolls rather than through sub-contracting, and strengthen the supervision system.

Mayor M. Subramanian, Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni and councillors of the Kodambakkam zone met NMF representatives to discuss the problems in garbage clearance.

One complaint was that many sweepers were elderly women who were unable to sweep the allotted area of roads. “We have asked Neel Metal to employ sweepers below 35 years,” the Mayor said.

The company has assured the Corporation that more bins will be placed, he said.

In the last council meeting, several councillors of the Kodambakkam zone had complained of inefficient garbage clearance. Congress councillor Saidai P. Ravi had said that Corporation workers had to pitch in to supplement NMF services even three months after the private firm started operations. He pinpointed Alayamman Koil Street as an area where service was poor.

Susheela Gopalakrishnan, councillor of ward 124, said NMF had slacked during the past few weeks. Councillors of Ice House and Adyar zones, the other two areas handled by NMF, did not raise complaints.

NMF representatives acknowledged they had initially faced problems in retaining employees. However, the problems would be solved soon as employees were now on the rolls. Attendance incentives and additional PF contributions were being offered, an NMF official said.

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