Expand scope of ward funds, say councillors

Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) councillors sought to expand the scope of works covered under the first phase of the Ward Development Fund, at the council meeting on Friday.

Standing Committee Chairperson C. Velu said the councillors were asked to use the ₹30 lakh allocated for pre-monsoon works such as improving roads, cleaning storm-water drains, purchasing boats, building retaining walls, and installing CCTV cameras.

He asked whether the allocation was additional or would be drawn from the existing funds. If the councillors were restricted to using the fund only for the works listed, they would be unable to attend to other maintenance requirements, he said.

GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran said pre-monsoon works were given priority, and that councillors could identify locations that require immediate attention.

Thiru.Vi.Ka Nagar councillor Siva. Raajashekaran said they were unable to undertake even minor works such as welding because of the restrictions on the funds.

Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar and many councillors demanded that a revised circular be issued on the usage of funds.

Standing Committee (Revenue) Chairperson Sarbajaya Das said zonal officials had told councillors that the funds could be used only for monsoon-related works, and sought a circular clarifying the position.

Mr. Sameeran said the funds could be used for works other than monsoon preparedness and agreed to issue a circular to this effect.

Remarks draw flak

Valasaravakkam Ward Committee Chairperson V. Rajan criticised certain remarks allegedly made by Minister for Public Works Department (PWD) Aadhav Arjuna in the Assembly during the recent Budget session on the functioning of elected representatives and DMK mayors in municipal corporations.

Mr. Rajan said councillors and committee chairpersons were not receiving adequate funds and were not being invited to meetings held by Ministers at Ripon Buildings or to inaugurations across the city.

Mayor R. Priya asked Mr. Rajan to “become an MLA and pose this question in the Assembly”. DMK floor leader R. Ramalingam said the Minister should explain his remarks at a council meeting. The Mayor said she could grant permission for this.

T. Nagar BJP councillor Uma Anandan said officials of the Electricity Board, Metrowater, and the GCC did not cooperate with the councillors, and that the role of councillors was becoming redundant.

Valasaravakkam councillor S. Bharathi sought clarity on the monitoring of storm-water drain connections. Referring to the ongoing work to lay new drains on Arcot Road, she asked whether the underground high-tension cables were being properly shifted or whether drains were being laid over them.

The Mayor said the work had been awarded to Narayana Constructions and that the underground cables were being shifted during excavations. Damaged or severed cables, if any, were being replaced before the work proceeded, she said.

Ms. Bharathi, however, alleged that she had submitted photographs showing lack of progress, and called for an inspection. Mr. Sameeran said the pictures had been taken during construction and that the location had since been revamped, and the high-tension cables relocated.

Four contracts awarded

Tondiarpet Ward Committee chairperson Nethaji U. Ganesan said four contracts had been awarded in the past four months, including works for desilting drains and repairing damaged roads, at 34% and 36% below the estimated amounts.

Mr. Ganesan questioned the quality of such works and alleged that officials were not monitoring them regularly. He added that motor repair works were being delayed.

The Mayor asked the Commissioner to examine whether a cap — with a limit of around 15% — could be fixed on bids below the estimated cost, depending on the nature of the work.