Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Councillors welcome breakfast scheme for students

COIMBATORE: All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam councillors staged a walkout from the Coimbatore Corporation Council on Tuesday while the other members passed the Corporation budget, welcoming infrastructure and welfare scheme announced in it.

During a discussion on Tuesday on the budget that was presented on Monday, the AIADMK claimed nothing in it offered any benefit for the public. The party felt that it did not meet the expectations of the people.

Soon after the presentation on Monday, leader of the party in the Council P. Rajkumar alleged that the budget's focus was almost totally on the World Classical Tamil Conference to be held in June this year.

But, the majority in the Council appreciated the announcement of free breakfast for Corporation school students.

Education Committee Chairman and Communist Party of India member R. Kalyanasundaram said the budget had sizeable allocation for improving the infrastructure in schools and to provide facilities in the institutions. He called for efforts to translate the proposals into reality. The funds allocated to construct libraries and laboratories must be used fully, he said.

Welcoming the breakfast scheme, Desiya Murpokkku Dravida Kazhagam councillor R. Kannadasan, however, complained that the allocation for conservancy was poor.

South Zone Chairman and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam member P. Pynthamil said the hand-held billing device the Corporation proposed to buy would help in improving tax collection. He appreciated the Corporation for the allocation of funds for the de-addiction programme for conservancy and drainage workers.

Indian Union Muslim League member T.A. Abdul Nazar said the schemes announced in the budget were far-sighted. There was even focus on all zones.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) member and North Zone Chairman C. Padmanabhan wanted Property Tax collection tightened and the disposal of meat waste regulated because the unsafe disposal methods now posed health hazards.

On Monday, Mr. Padmanabhan said the budget was very ordinary. The State Government must increase its financial contribution for infrastructure schemes in the city.

East Zone Chairman and DMK member S.M. Samy complained that drinking water was supplied only once in three days in the north and east zones. He called for steps to improve the supply.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Mayor R. Venkatachalam thanked the State Government for sanctioning Rs.13.25 crore for implementing three scheme road projects.

RAAC hails schemes

The Residents' Awareness Association of Coimbatore has welcomed the projects for scheme roads, footpaths, foot overbridges and subways.

Association vice-president R.R. Balasundaram said in a statement that earmarking vendor zones was a welcome move. But, these zones should not become a hindrance to existing shops.

The budget revealed that the Corporation considered the infrastructure needs very seriously.

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