Status: clearedChennai: Residents have urged the Tambaram Corporation to organise six ward sabhas every year to discuss neglect of basic civic issues including poor sanitation, damaged roads, and irregular waste collection.As per Municipal Administration and Water Supply department’s govt order six ward sabhas must be organised in every ward each year. Yet, several councillors in Tambaram have not conducted any meeting in their wards, resulting in a complete lack of communication between elected representatives and the public. “The local body has not taken any action to resolve civic issues that persisted for a long period. Even when petitions are submitted to the Corporation authorities, no swift action is taken to address the problem,” said V Santhanam, a resident of Chromepet. “We don’t know about the Corporation’s plans and the performance of our councillors,” he said. These meetings will allow residents to discuss local issues, identify development priorities, select beneficiaries for schemes, and hold their elected ward representatives and the urban local bodies accountable, he added. While in some wards the meeting was conducted once over the past four years, many others are yet to start. Residents say they have a number of civic issues including poor condition of bus route and interior roads, drinking water is contaminated, and the failing underground sewage system—installed 12 years ago—that causes sewage stagnation. “If there is ward sabha meeting, residents can meet councillors and officials under one roof, discuss longstanding issues, and plan and seek immediate attention,” said Aravindh Kannan, a resident of Pammal. “We are not able to directly raise these issued with the officials,” he said. Residents urge the govt to ensure that local bodies function with active public participation. It is essential for the govt to direct corporations to hold ward sabhas regularly, thereby fostering transparency and accountability.Tambaram Corporation officials were unavailable for comment. MSID:: 122115118 413 |
