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Marina to host only food, trinket vendors
Finalising the plans to choose vendors on the Marina beach as part of the beautification programme, the Greater Chennai Corporation has decided that only those selling food items, including snacks, beverages, and fancy items would be allowed to set up shop there. The civic body has begun distributing applications for those wanting to run shops at the beach.
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
According to a Corporation order, shops that are not related to beach activities such as bookshops, footwear, clothes and readymade, electronic items, mobile phone and accessories, optical, petty shops, photo studios and tattoo parlours would not be allowed.
“Shops will be allowed only for vending cold drinks, fancy items, food items and snacks items,” the order said.
The civic body has decided to procure 900 smart carts as per Madras High Court order. Of the 900 carts, 60 per cent carts will be allocated to existing vendors while the remaining 40 per cent will be allocated to those who do not run shops at the beach presently. The move is to create balance between existing and new vendors.
After issue of applications began, several vendors running roadside shops across the city gathered in large numbers at Ripon Building to collect them. “I am running a bangle shop in Mettupalayam area. As the opportunity is given to run a shop at the beach, I am applying to operate a bangle shop,” said a woman who was standing in the queue.
The filled-in applications should be submitted between December 21 and December 26 (except December 25). Carts will be allocated after the scrutiny and finalisation of applications on January 8.
Meanwhile, Corporation Commissioner G Prakash said that steps would be taken to create a reading area at the beach.
Corpn has documents to disprove ex-mayor’s allegations: Commissioner
Facing allegations of misconduct in the distribution of free food for slum dwellers, Greater Chennai Corporation said on Wednesday that there were papers and documents to disprove the allegations.
Speaking to the media after meeting Corporation Commissioner G Prakash to submit a petition regarding civic issues, Ma Subramanian MLA, a former city mayor, reiterated his allegation of misconduct in the free food scheme.
“It is said Rs 312 crore was spent for the scheme, but there is no detail about the number of persons benefited and whether they followed tender procedures. At several places, we saw AIADMK members distributing the food,” he alleged.
When asked, Commissioner Prakash said that the scheme helped the poor people who were affected by the incessant rain. “There is no misconduct in implementing the scheme and we have all the documents and papers. We spent only Rs 30 to Rs 35 for each meal, including transportation expenses. In total, we had spent only Rs 45 crore to Rs 50 crore,” he said.
He added that the money spent by the civic body would be reimbursed by the State government.
To compensate for the loss of livelihood suffered by those living in slum areas, the Corporation had launched the 8-day scheme on December 6, and distributed more than 1.63 crore meals, including 53.91 lakh breakfast, 54.95 lakh lunches and more than 55 lakh dinners.
There are around 5.3 lakh families with 26 lakh individuals living in slum areas. The city has more than 800 notified slum areas.
Earlier, Subramanian and South Chennai MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian met the Commissioner to hand over a petition regarding civic issues in Maduravoyal, Mylapore, T Nagar and other areas. They urged the civic body to convert an unused dumping yard in Saidapet into a park apart from creating storm water drains in Semmencherry, Tsunami Nagar, Madipakkam and other areas.
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