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Tamil Nadu News Papers

Councillors call for steps to overcome water crisis

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Source : The Hindu Date : 23.06.2009

Councillors call for steps to overcome water crisis

Special Correspondent

COIMBATORE: Councillors of the Coimbatore Corporation have called for measures to tide over shortage of drinking water, especially in view of the fast dipping level in the Siruvani Dam.

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) councillor P. Rajkumar alleged that Siruvani water was being supplied once in 10 or even 12 days even though the Corporation claimed it was done once in four days. “The city is in the grip of a drinking water crisis and we have to tackle it immediately,” he said.

The AIADMK member wanted to know from the officials the water-holding capacity of Siruvani Dam and how much water was left in it. Mr. Rajkumar pointed out that a huge amount of silt in the dam was reducing the capacity of the dam. This, in turn, impacted supply to the city and other area dependent on the Siruvani drinking water scheme.

The Corporation had already taken up the issue of increasing the height of the dam that was located in Kerala. Even as a response was awaited from the Kerala Government, the Tamil Nadu Government should immediately take up with it the need to remove silt from the dam. “We (the Corporation) can pass a resolution requesting the Tamil Nadu Government to discuss this issue with Kerala,” he said.

Earlier, Deputy Mayor N. Karthik emphasised the need for alternative sources to provide water to the people in the city. “The level in the Siruvani Dam is very low and people suffer erratic supply even in areas covered by the Pilloor scheme. While the Corporation cannot be blamed for this, it is important that more bore well water is supplied to the water-deficit areas to compensate for the shortage of Siruvani and Pilloor waters,” he said.

Amid the agony over water crisis and slow pace of development works, the Corporation had something to cheer about in the form of an individual’s contribution for a public cause.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 June 2009 03:51
 

Resistance to revised drinking water tariff

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Source : The Hindu Date : 23.06.2009

Resistance to revised drinking water tariff

Special Correspondent

COIMBATORE: Parties in the Coimbatore Corporation have rejected the revised tariff for drinking water supplied by local bodies by pointing out that it will inflict further agony on the public who are already reeling under water shortage in the city.

According to the parties, the State Government has not only increased the tariff but also drastically reduced the quantity of water for each slab.

For instance, Rs.3.50 had been fixed earlier for every 1,000 litres of water up to a slab of 50,000 litres for the domestic connections.

The proposed revision puts it at Rs. 4.50, but the 50,000 litres slab has been brought down to 7,500 litres.

The same quantity of water has been offered to commercial establishments, but for a higher tariff of Rs. 5.25.

For consumption of 10,001 litres to 15 lakh litres, the rates per 1,000 litres are the same for both categories: Rs.18. For more than 15 lakh litres, both sections will have to pay Rs. 22.50 for every 1,000 litres.

Resolution

In a resolution moved at the Corporation Council meeting on Monday, the civic body said the cost of the Pilloor Phase II Drinking Water Scheme was expected to rise from Rs. 113 crore to Rs. 140 crore.

The increase in tariff was one way to meet the rising project cost, especially when the Corporation had to meet 30 per cent of the project cost while the rest would come in the form of grants from the Central and State Governments.

Tariff increase

The Corporation’s share of about Rs. 50 crore should be transferred from its fund to that of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission under which the project would be implemented. Tariff increase was the major option on hand.

Councillors, however, disagreed with the proposal. Even before the agenda was taken up for discussion, Leader of the Opposition V.N. Udayakumar moved a resolution on behalf of all the parties to demand that the tariff increase be kept in abeyance.

Sewerage service

The Council also deferred a decision on sewerage service charges, saying the rates should be first discussed in an all-party meeting

Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 June 2009 03:48
 

Corporation suspends 3 employees

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Source : The Hindu Date : 23.06.2009

Corporation suspends 3 employees

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation on Monday suspended three of its employees for their role in the delay of construction of storm-water drain in Egmore.

A press release from the Corporation said Mayor M. Subramanian inspected work to construct the storm-water drain over a distance of 1.1 km. The work, which was to be completed by February 2009, got delayed and caused inconvenience to people.

Mr. Subramanian ordered the officials concerned to complete the work before monsoon. The Corporation has also sought an explanation from two other officials, the release said.

The release said the Corporation had completed 122.47 km of storm water drains over the past two-and-a-half years. Construction of 14 km storm-water drains in 54 localities is under way at a cost of Rs.13 crore this year. The Mayor also ordered the authorities to take action against a sweet stall in the locality for allegedly polluting the area.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 June 2009 03:45
 


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