The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : We want water

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Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

We want water

The city’s water supply system is awfully mismanaged. Water distribution to the different areas of the fast growing metropolis is deplorable. The Corporation fleeces residents by levying increased property and water taxes without providing adequate supply of water and other amenities. Every time there is a breakdown in the supply of water in the Pilloor-fed areas, resumption of water supply does not take place even three or four days after the promised date of the restoration of supply. The worst-affected are the residents of Peelamedu and other surrounding areas, particularly the residents of the two adjacent Bharathi and Lal Bahadur Colonies. While Lal Bahadur Colony is supplied water once in every eight days, some streets in Bharati Colony do not get adequate supply of water. But a particular street in Bharati Colony gets water continuously for four days. The ward councillor never visits the area and does not attend to the complaints of the residents. Will the authorities take urgent steps to ensure even distribution of water to Peelamedu and suburbs?

T.K. Ganapathy,

Lal Bahadur Colony.

Why this overdrive?

Kovai is indeed very proud of our hero Narain Karthikeyan. Just as we were slowly learning to negotiate potholes, trenches (for water lines left unfilled) and huge mounds covering sewer line inspection pits, new challenges suddenly sprouted. Virtually overnight dozens of speed breakers, in a dozen designs, came up on our roads. A short stretch from Puliakullam to Race Course via Abdul Karim Road has 10 or more, sometimes just yards apart. Why do we have this tendency to go into overdrive the moment we latch onto something good?

M. Vania,

Sowripalayam.

Electricity bills

At present electricity bills are payable on 15th of alternate months. If the date falls on Saturday and the Electricity Board office is closed. Therefore the date of payment should be extended up to 20th of the month if it is accepted through the Electronic Transfer Credit System. Since the Electricity Board deals with an essential service, the cash counter should remain open even if 15th happens to be a holiday or the last date for payment of bills should be extended up to 20th. The bills could be paid anywhere in the State. Electronic bills are now paid at the counters in the offices of the assistant engineer or the junior engineer. As the payment of bills is computerised, the facility should be extended to any of the Board offices, banks, post offices, major sub-stations etc. in the state.

C.M. Jeyaraam

Secretary, Citizens’ Voice Club, Coimbatore.

VOIP and IP camera

Broad band internet service providers in Coimbatore have to focus more on the value added services like VOIP (Voice over internet protocol) and IP cameras. In VOIP customers can make ISD calls at a cheap rate. The customer can fix the IP camera in his office or godown and see the happenings in any part of the world through his IP address. There is little awareness about these products. I hope the broad band service providers will concentrate more on these value added services.

Douglas Raja,

Avinashi Road.

Property tax

Coimbatore Corporation announced in July 2008 that property tax in the City Corporation area will be raised by 10 per cent for buildings constructed between 1.4.2003 and 31.3.2006 and 20 per cent for those constructed before 31.3.2003 based on the nature of use – like residential, commercial, industrial etc.

The Corporation also announced that its staff would come and verify details. But no one turned up. Normally, I, a senior citizen, pay the tax for the first and second half year together. I went to the Coimbatore West Corporation office in July with my property tax book which contains assessment number, half-yearly tax etc. I was ready to pay the tax with 20 per cent increase since my house was constructed before 31.3.2003. But the staff refused to accept the amount. This was the fate of others too who were waiting in the queue. Why does the Corporation not collect the tax from those who are willing to pay when it is starved of funds? Will the Commissioner and the Mayor look into this and do justice?

V.G. Mahadevan,

Ponnaya Raja Puram.

(Readers can mail to cbereaders@thehindu.co.in with address and phone number)

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