Privatisation of conservancy works hits another roadblock

“The bids were opened on Monday in Amma Maligai. But only five private companies vied for the bids. Of the five firms, four companies did not meet our conditions and norms. Only a Pune-based firm had the qualification,” a Corporationsource said.

When contacted, a senior official close to the development said that the Chennai Corporation would float retenders for the conservancy works as they could not go ahead with one bidder.

The poor response from private firms has come as another obstruction to the Chennai Corporation’s attempt to privatise the works as the conservancy staff are protesting against the move fearing they would lose their livelihood.

It may be noted that the civic body has floated tenders in two packages to privatise conservancy works in Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, Ambattur, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Perungudi and Sholinganallur Zones.

One package contained Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram and Ambattur Zones at a cost of Rs 744.79 crore and the other comprising of Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Perungudi and Sholinganallur Zones at a cost of Rs 801.20.

Even though the Corporation slated October 24 as the last date for bid submission and the opening of the bids, protest by conservancy workers forced the officials to postpone the opening date to November 24.

However, the officials could not open the bids and postponed it to December 7 following the strike announcement of conservancy workers. “Meanwhile, the bidders sought more time to submit their bids and the opening date was further deferred to December 24. We opened the bids on the stipulated date but could not draw any response from private companies,” the source said.

Meanwhile, a member of Chennai Corporation Redflag Union said that they were closely following the development and would decide next course of action based on the development.

Corpn officials to visit houses of disabled voters
In a move to assist the persons with disabilities (PwD) to enrol in the electoral list, the Greater Chennai Corporation officials will visit their houses soon.

“As per the direction of Election Commission of India and State Electoral Officer, steps have been taken to enumerate the number of voters who are persons with disabilities. The enumeration is to ensure PwD-friendly arrangements during polling,” D Karthikeyan, Commissioner of Chennai Corporation, said in a press statement.

He also added that persons with disabilities in 16 assembly constituencies in Chennai district could call 1913 tollfree number to disclose their address, name and details of voter IDs.

Meanwhile, the Greater Chennai Corporation also assured that the booth level officers (BLO) would come to the residences of the persons with disabilities if they are yet to enrol their names in the electoral list.

“BLO officers will help them fill Form-6. The details of the persons with disabilities will be kept confidential the arrangement is only to provide facilities to them,” Karthikeyan said.

It is learnt that the Chennai Corporation has decided to set up special polling booths for persons with disabilities at locations where there is more number of PwDs.