In pursuit of civic development and innovative welfare schemes over the past three years, the AIADMK-led Chennai Corporation council has focussed primarily on local administrative reforms to prevent corruption, said Mayor Saidai Duraisamy.
Speaking at a meeting held to mark the completion of three years of the Corporation Council on Saturday, Mr. Duraisamy pointed to initiatives pertaining to civic reform and welfare measures taken three years ago.
“After I took over the Mayoral post in 2011, the Chief Minister directed me to initiate changes to make the Corporation focus primarily on the people. We have served with integrity and initiated changes to prevent corruption in three years,” he said.
Funds to the tune of Rs. 1,127 crore, given by the State government, have facilitated a range of welfare measures and civic development schemes, he said.
Civic development work has been carried out in the 426 sq. km. of the Corporation’s limit, at a cost of Rs. 4,527 crore. A total of 34,404 projects, including work on cement concrete roads, parks, stormwater drains, streetlights, footpaths and primary health centres (PHCs), have been taken up so far.
“This is the highest number of projects taken up in the history of the Corporation. Yet we have to overcome new challenges to development,” said Mr. Duraisamy.
The Mayor said he received 2.02 lakh petitions during this period. “We have been able to complete remedial measures on 1.97 lakh petitions. A total of 4,995 petitions are being scrutinised by officials concerned,” said Mr. Duraisamy.
Following a major administrative revamp at the Corporation in 2014, enforcement of rules pertaining to building violations are expected to improve.
A team of five assistant engineers and two assistant executive engineers, exclusively for enforcement, are expected to prevent further building violations in the city. “The State government has also permitted residents to construct houses on plots measuring less than 860 sq. ft. in the city. This move will help several residents,” said the Mayor.
“At least three lakh residents visit the 207 outlets of Amma Unavagam for nutritious food at affordable prices. Over 50 per cent of them are labourers, and at least 25 percent, children,” said Mr. Duraisamy.
“We have prevented corrupt practices in booking marriage halls. Over 20,000 poor families will benefit from this,” he said.
Civic amenities on the health, education and infrastructure fronts have improved in the past three years, he said.
When DMK members protested during the speech, the Mayor ordered the police to evict them. Chennai Corporation DMK party leader D. Subhash Chandra Bose said the rains had damaged roads in the city.
“We asked for permission to discuss civic issues but the Mayor did not give us permission,” said Mr. Bose.
