Residents complain about civic issues as GCC deploys more workers for SIR

Residents have complained that civic services have been affected because of deployment of civic workers to carry out the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in various zones of the city.

K.Ganesan, president of Thirumoolar Colony Residents’ Welfare Association, said the basic civic services such as garbage collection and mosquito control operations have been affected owing to deployment of the workers for SIR work. In areas such as Anna Nagar, GCC workers clean the streets as the work has not been outsourced to private operators. GCC Health Department workers have also been deployed for special intensive revision.

Ward 4 councillor R. Jayaraman said residents have started complaining about issues in the services provided by civic officials owing to their redeployment for SIR work. . Former congress councillor P.V. Tamil Selvan said the workers were inadequate for carrying out the Special Intensive Revision, and the work on distribution of forms at the residents’ homes was disrupted in Mogappair. 

Velachery resident S. Kumararaja said civic issues relating to public health and mosquito menace have been rising owing to deployment of the health workers for Special Intensive Revision. “These workers play a key role during the Northeast monsoon in Chennai. Chennai District Election Office should ask teachers to do special intensive revision work instead of workers who resolve civic issues,” he said.

Pointing to issues faced by residents on rental housing in the city, councillors have complained that many residents who have shifted to neighbouring areas in the city have not received enumeration forms for the Special Intensive Revision.

“Each BLO claims that 50 forms are distributed every day at residents’ doorsteps. Of the 900 electors in one booth, at least 300 electors have shifted to other rental housing. These residents are confused despite having a valid voter ID card. They are worried that they may lose their vote if they are not able to produce the correct records on time,” said J.John, ward 84 councillor.

According to estimates, 49% of Chennai residents do not own a house and depend on rental housing.