Veppanthattai taluk was carved out of Perambalur taluk in 1999. But Veppanthattai town, about 20 km from Perambalur, the headquarters of this taluk, lacks basic facilities that befits its status.
There is no sub-court, police station, primary health centre, bus stand, or even a branch of the State Bank of India. The only positive outcome of the creation of the taluk has been the setting up of a sub-treasury here shortly by the State government.
A total of 29 village panchayats and two town panchayats of Arumbavur and Poolambadi fall under the jurisdiction of this taluk. The only three government offices functioning in Veppanthattai are the taluk office, panchayat union office, and sub-registrar office. The police station is situated at Arumbavur, about 15 km from Veppanthattai.
Residents in need of remittance of dues and service fees to the State government through the State Bank of India have to travel to Perambalur — the nearest place for the bank’s branch. “Remittance of Rs. 10 towards obtaining birth certificate involves a series of processes. We have to get the counter seal at the taluk office at Veppanthattai, again at the treasury at Perambalur, and later deposit the money in the State Bank of India branch. For remitting just Rs. 10, we have to undergo an ordeal. The government should set up a sub-treasury and a branch of the State Bank of India with immediate effect,” say the people of Veppanthattai town and surrounding villages.
The presence of a bus stand has been a long felt need of the residents. Situated on the Perambalur-Athur-Salem highway, Veppanthattai always wears a busy look.
The people of Annamangalam, Arasalur, Viswakudi, Venbavur, Paandagappadi, Periyavadakari, Palaiyur, Anukkur, Neikuppai and so on regularly frequent Veppanthattai town by commuting in town buses.
A mini bus stand will immensely benefit the commuters, says J. Mahendran, treasurer of the Veppanthattai Traders’ Welfare Association.
Because of lack of a proper bus stand, eight mini buses which were plying in different routes from Veppanthattai have suspended their services for a few months.
