Vellore Corpn turning deaf ear to residents’ complaints

When Vellore Consumer Federation President K Sathiyamoorthy asked the reason for the shortage of water, he was shown how area where the leak had been taking place.

He then tried to contact the Corporation Chairman C Sivasubramaniam demanding official action, his call was not picked up. However, he did receive an SMS from the official asking him to send a message describing the issue.

Sathiyamoorthy immediately informed him about the breakage at the junction of south avenue road and 17th cross road and how water was flowing out round the clock.

Receiving no response, he again unsuccessfully tried to contact the Commissioner and sent more messages with the same complaint about the residents not getting water supply due to the leak. “I wonder what the local officials are doing and how they have not noticed the water leak for more than a week,” Sathiyamoorthy told DT Next.

Poonam Chand (41) who is a resident of Muthanna Nagar had a similar experience.

He sought the corporation’s permission to raise a roadside garden for preventing indiscriminate dumping of garbage in the area. “Though I repeatedly contacted the local Assistant Commissioner, he refused permission.

When I asked him how voluntary agencies were allowed to maintain gardens, he refused to answer,” he said. Despite Chand warning the AC that he would make it a big issue, he was met with indifference.

“Though I told him that I would give in writing that I would remove the garden if the corporation planned any construction in the area, he refused to reply and told me to do it if I can. He did not care for though I kept insisting. Now, the entire is collecting more garbage,” Chand told this reporter.

The area now has trash piling up everyday with the workers not cleaning the area. Other residents who also faced official apathy say add that the duty of the officials has come down as the model code of conduct has kicked in. As most projects come to a standstill during this period, they have more time to address the problems faced by the residents. Instead of making use of this opportunity, they continue ignoring the complaints, the residents add.