Coimbatore: Hike monthly ward development fund from 5 lakh, says Councillors

COIMBATORE: As many as 13 resolutions were passed in the council meeting held in Victoria Hall in the city on Monday. Councillors urged the corporation to increase the monthly ward development fund from 5 lakh, which they said, is insufficient to ensure even basic amenities.
Taxes eat away a portion of the allotted money while executing projects, east zone chairperson Ilakkumi Elanselvi said. “It takes much more than 5 lakh even to construct a culvert. We now have to put two months fund to do such work,” she said.
All councillors supported her demand and said the government should revise the amount. Some councillors raised the issue of water logging and water entering residential houses during the recent heavy showers. Basic amenity development works have slowed down, they said.
Corporation commissioner M Prathap instructed officials to carry out works such as attending to pipeline leaks, cleaning stormwater drains and removing encroachments, without delay.
Taxes and finance committee chairman M Mubaseera highlighted the software issue which is delaying approvals for new buildings. “It is also affecting tax flow. Also, there is a delay in implementing zone-based taxation for new buildings,” she said. The commissioner said the issue in implementing zone-based taxation is a statewide issue and it has been followed up with relevant authorities. “The delay in implementation of online building plan approval is due to software glitches. It will be solved soon.”
Councillors also urged the civic body to curb stray dog menace and desilt all stormwater drains before the onset of northeast monsoon.