A new self-sufficiency scheme has been launched by the state government to improve basic civic infrastructure wherein residents or a consortium of people have to pay one third of the total project cost required for developing an area and the corporation will execute the project in co-ordination with the public.
The state government has allotted Rs 10.37 crore for the Chennai corporation under the project. The scheme will cover minor works like relaying of concrete roads, construction of ration shops, noon meal centres and libraries, said corporation sources.
The objective of the scheme is to bring in public participation and create civic sense among the residents. Members of the public and interested persons can contact local zonal officials of the corporation or approach the chief engineer at the corporation headquarters with a detailed plan of the project they want in their area. The corporation will take a decision based on the application, explained a senior corporation official.
The total project amount for the self-sufficiency schemes in Chennai will be around Rs 15 crore including public contribution of Rs 5.20 crore.
“Involving the public in corporation administration is a good initiative but forcing the public to pay 33 per cent of the project cost may not receive patronage from citizens,” said Mr M.S. Lokesh, a graphic designer from Villivakkam.
“We are paying property tax and I am paying professional tax to the corporation and now they want more from the public?” he complained.
“It is a good scheme, but there has to be assurance from the corporation while executing the projects. They should complete these projects without any delay and the bureaucracy may affect this scheme too,” said Mr Arani Sreenivasan, a civic activist in Choolai.