The Coimbatore Corporation’s property tax and water charges collection centre in Chinthamani Nagar in Saibaba Colony is used for tax collection during the day, while tipplers turn it into a bar at night.
Almost every morning at least half-a-dozen used liquor bottles are found there says an employee at the tax collection centre. It has been happening only in the recent past because the construction underway provides easy access to anybody who wants to enter the premises as there is no gate.
The concrete roof and half-constructed wall provide the ideal cover to anybody who wants to drink liquor illegally there, he adds.
Sugarcane juice vendor T. Muthukumar, who is a few yards away from the centre, says that once when he encountered a few people drinking liquor there, he was asked to mind his business. Since he did not know who to complain to, he informed the tax collection centre worker and left it at that because he feared for his life and safety.
Ward 11 Councillor M. Ravindiraraj says that the centre serves residents of five wards covering K.K. Pudur, Saibaba Colony and nearby areas. When the residents go there, they feel uncomfortable using the facility.
The Corporation should do something about it because if left unchecked the place could turn a den for criminals.
Sources said that the civic body had taken up construction at the place around three months ago. This had given access to members of the public and also tipplers. Once the work was over, the premises would be out of bounds after office hours.
