In January this year, the Federation of Civic and Welfare Associations of Pallavaram and Chromepet forwarded petitions to the Chief Minister’s Cell, requesting steps ensuring reduction in charges for Underground Drainage System (UGD) services levied by the Pallavapuram municipality.
The Pallavapuram municipality levies Rs.150 per month for UGD services. The CM’s Cell has sought a reply from the municipality with regard to the petition forwarded by the Associations.
The municipality, in a reply, dated April 29, stated that post-Parliamentary elections (Code of Conduct), it would convene a council meeting and take steps to reduce the tariff.
But, on the contrary, the UGD charges have not been reduced so far. Moreover, the residents of Pallavaram and Chromepet have been given a demand notice to pay the arrears amount from the date of the connection.
“We believed that the municipality would take steps to reduce the UGD charges, but we are shocked by this unexpected move. Instead of reducing the charges, it has issued a demand notice asking the residents to pay the arrears,” the Federation members said. Official sources of the municipality said the residents had not paid UGD charges for the past couple of years and so the notice had been issued asking them to pay the arrears amount.
In this regard, the Federation has convened a meeting today (July 27) at Vyabarigal Sangam Hall, South Street, Radha Nagar, Chromepet, where it is expected to adopt a resolution deciding the future course of action.
