Date:23/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/23/stories/2008112357570300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Residents pinning their hopes on new corporations for growth in amenities

Staff Reporter

Second public consultation held to examine the feasibility of creating two new corporations

— Photo: S.Thanthoni

scrutiny time: Residents observe the maps of the proposed new corporations at a public consultation at Ambattur on Saturday.

CHENNAI: The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) organised the second public consultation at Ambattur on Saturday to examine the feasibility of creating two new municipal corporations comprising urban and rural local bodies near the city.

A presentation on the salient features of the proposal was made by CMDA officials, and residents were asked to express their opinion. Five options with maps showing the limits of the proposed corporations were on display.

Officials explained the reasons for the proposed amalgamation of the areas. The constitution of the new corporations were based on contiguity, compactness, population, the rate of urbanisation, the income of the local body, electoral considerations, smooth transfer of records and revenue jurisdiction.

Residents said the creation of new corporations would significantly improve infrastructure and amenities in these areas.

Several elected representatives of local bodies voiced their concern over the delay in creation of the corporations.

Saying that the government proposed to set up the corporations by 2011, they suggested that the urban local bodies be created at the earliest.

Some councillors of the Ambattur municipality said they wanted a separate municipal corporation for Ambattur.

“The CMDA has recently written to the local bodies concerned, asking them if they are willing to be part of the new corporation,” said an official. “The reply of the local bodies, including any valid reason for reluctance to be part of a new corporation, will be placed before an expert committee. The government will take action after the committee submits its report.”

One of the elected representatives suggested that four municipal corporations be created instead of the proposed two.

K. Balasubramaniam, a resident of Ambattur, said there were concerns about the possible rise in tax with the creation of the corporations without proper infrastructure development in the initial stages. Any decision on creation of the corporations should not hurt the residents and businesses in the area.

I. Manoharan, an agriculturist in one of the rural areas proposed to be part of the new corporation, said the government should safeguard the interests of farmers before creating the corporations.

A few residents wanted the officials to create awareness among the public of the proposal before a public consultation.

Representatives of people in the local bodies outnumbered the residents and activists at the meeting.

S. Philip, a resident of Pallikaranai, made a suggestion for the creation of a revenue district comprising the three municipal corporations for the convenience of the public.

Susan Mathew, vice-chairperson, CMDA, said the next consultation would be held at Tiruvottiyur on November 29.

Residents were asked to email their suggestions to vccmda@vsnl.net or by post to the CMDA, Thalamuthu Natarajan Maligai, Egmore, Chennai – by December 31.