Latest news with #SJeevan
New Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
MDMK councillor flags misuse of GST in road cut charges; seeks action against contractors
CHENNAI: During the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) council meeting on Wednesday, MDMK councillor S Jeevan voiced concerns over the 18% GST collected from the public for road cuts made during new service connections, alleging that the tax component was being usurped by private contractors instead of being deposited with the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB). He stated that the public are charged Rs 7,500 for new drainage connections with an additional Rs 5,200 per metre for road cuts and 18% GST. Previously, CMWSSB handled road cuts directly after obtaining GCC's permission and compensated the corporation for road repairs. Since January, private contractors have been hired for these works and are paid the full amount, including GST. Jeevan alleged that the contractors failed to properly restore roads after pocketing the money. He claimed that the actual CMWSSB road cutting costs range between Rs 1,100-Rs 1,700 per metre up to 10m, much lower than what is being charged, he said. He added that photographs of roads not being repaired properly were submitted to Mayor R Priya and urged the corporation to hold talks with CMWSSB to stop engaging contractors. Mayor Priya assured that the matter would be discussed with relevant departments.
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kodungaiyur WTE plant: Mayor meets councillors
CHENNAI: Chennai Mayor R Priya chaired a meeting to address concerns raised by North Chennai councillors on the proposed waste-to-energy (WTE) plant in Kodungaiyur, at the Ripon Buildings on Tuesday. The meeting comes in the wake of a public gathering held on April 13 by the Federation of North Chennai Residents' Welfare Association, which announced a human chain protest on May 25. During the meeting, councillors S Jeevan, R Jayaraman, J Dilli Babu, and M Renuka voiced objections, stating that the plant would pose public health risks. The councillors also suggested relocating the plant to an area having at least a 5km habitation-free radius. Sources part of the meeting said the corporation officials presented clarifications and risk mitigation measures in place, referring to the 'success' of a similar plant in Hyderabad. While the councillors claimed the corporation is planning to take them on Wednesday and Thursday to Hyderabad to observe the operations, corporation officials said the visit will be decided only after consultation with the government.
