The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Issue tokens for helmets

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Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Issue tokens for helmets

The fact that helmets are stolen frequently at two wheeler stands in Arapalayam and Mattuthavani bus stands could be confirmed on seeing the board at these places announcing “the contractor is not held responsible for theft of helmets.” As a victim, I want to point out that without the connivance of the contractor, locked helmets cannot be stolen since it requires some time and effort. The contractor can issue tokens for helmets on the lines of what is being done at temples for taking care of chappals. I request corporation authorities and the Commissioner of Police to look into this matter to avoid recurrence of theft of locked helmets.

S. N. Gurusamy,

Madurai

Skyrocketing prices of essential commodities

The price of gingelly oil has rocketed from Rs.80 a litre (approximately 910 grams) in November 2007 to Rs.100 in February 2008 – a whopping 25 per cent increase within a short period.

In the event, an additional expenditure of Rs.120 has to be incurred by a family, assuming that it uses a minimum six litres of it. Merchants attribute the price increase to the export of edible oil and online trading, resulting in a speculative market. It is a paradox that although the economy is said to be registering an impressive growth rate of close to 9 percent, common people find themselves under great strain as the prices of almost all essential items are spiralling out of control these days.

It is, therefore, imperative for the State to introduce tougher measures to control the situation, so that basic necessities do not cost a fortune.

V. Krishnamoorthy,

Madurai

Difficulty in getting ration card

After applying for one , it has become very difficult and tedious a process for senior citizens to receive a new ration card from the public distribution system (PDS) office. The stock reply from the PDS staff is: a post card will be sent to the applicants. Only on producing the post card, the new family card will be issued to them.

For those unfortunate people who do not ever receive the card, there is no alternative procedure to get one. If enquired, the old people are rebuked and sent away. Only on producing new ration card, LPG cylinder is supplied.

Hence the officials must be kind enough to issue cylinder in fitting cases till one gets the ration card.

A. Vivekanantham,

Madurai

Unsightly bus stop

Since rainwater stagnates in front of Vellaichamy Nadar College bus stop, passengers find it difficult to board buses. The reinstated ‘salai paniyalargal’ might be engaged to set matters right. Besides, garbage — used plastic cups and bags and waste from eateries — is found strewn from the college entrance to the nearby ATM counter.

The local body must take action to collect the garbage and send it to compost yard.

S. N. M. T. Nagarajan,

Madurai

Slow moving vehicles on AV Bridge

Since there is heavy traffic on Albert Victor Bridge, slow moving vehicles such as bicycles, tricycles and rickshaws are not allowed to use the bridge. Though they are supposed to use the nearby causeways, it is not followed always, resulting in needless traffic jam and accidents on AV Bridge. The traffic police must take stern action against violators.

P. R. Prabhu,

Madurai

‘Entrance’ fee at railway station

Parking fee is collected even for entry to Madurai railway station. The authorities must clarify whether the contractors are allowed to collect fee even for vehicles to ‘enter’ the railway station premises or for ‘parking’ them.

R. Surendra,

Madurai

Speed breakers

Speed breakers are necessary at select points to prevent rash driving. They must be erected after judicial selection and according to specifications recommended by the Indian Road Congress. For this, Corporation / Highways and police officers must work in synergy. Speed breakers should be clearly seen even at night by suitable markings and caution signs.

But sadly, what we see are speed breeakers erected indiscriminately and whimsically, in grotesque shapes and sizes with utter disregard to guidelines. There should be a check on such speed breakers by the authorities and wrongly erected ones removed since they damage vehicles and injure people.

Since speed breakers are not laid end to end across the road, many use the left out space, defeating the purpose of the structure.

Most important feature forgotten is that the speed breakers are invisible without white markings, posing danger and causing many an accident. Immediate action is imperative on this aspect

Y. S. Kadakshamani,

president, Environment Protection and Improvement Council, EPIC, Madurai

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