CCTVs must in jewel shops, petrol bunks

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The corporation council on Wednesday discussed the incidence of swine flu, water-borne diseases and overhead electric cables posing danger to residents.

The council passed 64 resolutions including one seeking mandatory installation of closed circuit cameras in jewellery shops and petrol bunks.

During the brief debate, councillors discussed the delay in the construction of the subway near Villivakkam east railway gate, laying of safe underground cables and levying tax on buildings with cellphone towers.

Responding to a query raised by councillor K. Chandrasekharan on the sale of unhygienic water packets, the mayor said, “In a bid to prevent the outbreak of water-borne diseases, raids were conducted at various units and packets of unhygienic water were seized and destroyed.”

“Steps have been taken to ban the sale and production of water sachets owing to unhygienic manufacturing process,” he added.

A total of 64 resolutions including provision of space for fair price shops at three locations, allocation of government land for Taramani police station, collection of property tax in areas recently annexed with the city corporation were passed.

Besides, the council resolved to make amendments to the bylaws under the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919 for securing public safety.

As per the amendments, every application for a trade license to set up a jewellery shop or a petrol bunk shall be accompanied by a duplicate plan of the place indicating provisions and suitable means for installation of CCTV units.

In the event of infringement of any one of the restrictions of the license, the commissioner may revoke, suspend or cancel a license at any time on grounds of public safety, a copy of the resolution read.

Mayor biased, say DMK councillors

Opposition DMK members staged a walkout in the city corporation council on Wednesday following heated exchange of words between them and ruling AIADMK councillors.

DMK floor leader Subhash Chandra Bose said Chennai mayor Saidai Duraisamy was harsh and biased towards Opposition members.

“We were not given chance to speak about issues related to the controversial Kolathur MLA office functioning in the corporation building. We wanted to thank the high court, but our voices were suppressed in the council,” he said.

Reacting to the issue, Mayor Saidai Duraisamy said it has become a habit of DMK members to raise political issues in the council and disrupt the proceedings.

The corporation council is convened to discuss public issues and not politics, he informed the councillors.