Property tax set to increase in Chennai
The state government has ordered local bodies to revise property tax following the recommendations of a committee appointed to study the issues. As a result, property tax in Chennai could be set to rise by up to 150%. The notification for the same was issued by the Municipal Administration Secretary.
The committee’s recommendations for Chennai include that the taxes in core areas be hiked by between 50% to 150%. The tax rates in the suburbs merged with the Chennai Corporation in 2011 is set to be hiked between 50% to 100%.
Commercial buildings have been recommended a hike of 100% and factories and educational institutions are set to see the property tax hiked by 75%.
Source: The New Indian Express
Read more: Increasing property tax can be a gamechanger for city: DC, Revenue & Finance
Corporation inaugurates gender and policy lab
On Friday the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) inaugurated the Gender and Policy Lab which aims to look into all policies and schemes to ensure if they are women-friendly. The lab comes under The World Bank Assistance, set up by the Nirbhaya Program and the Chennai City Partnership. It will begin its work in zones 4 and 5 in the first phase.
Safety and accessibility of public space for women is a key concern for the lab. Uniform availability of amenities such as streetlights and proper pavements will be a priority. The lab was inaugurated by Chennai Mayor Priya Rajan, Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi and Police Commissioner Shankar Jiwal.
Source: The Times of India
Chennai Central Station gets makeover
On Wednesday, March 31st Chief Minister MK Stalin Inaugurated the ‘Central Square’ located at the station furnished with water fountains, pergolas, pedestrian pathways and more. The project, which cost around Rs. 400 Crore, aims to act as a multi-modal hub , to make commuting more convenient for passengers.
For commuters, many transport options including suburban trains, MRTS services, Metro trains and buses are available at the station.These transport options will now all be interconnected.The Central Square also connects important buildings such as the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Victoria Hall and Ripon Buildings via these subways.
Source: The Hindu
Students of MCC allege moral policing and harassment by faculty
The students of Madras Christian College (MCC), a prominent educational institute in Chennai, staged a protest on Thursday. The protest was held inside the college campus, with students alleging moral policing and harassment from the faculty. A petition with 11 grievances was submitted by the college union society. The grievances include complaints of misogyny and sexism inside the college campus.
The protest was triggered by an incident where two students had their ID cards confiscated on March 30th. They were suspended for putting their arms around each other’s shoulders, on the grounds of ‘inappropriate behavior’.
The students also alleged that the teachers indulged in moral policing, and often brush away complaints of sexual harassment. Details on this instance and more can be found on the student run instagram page righteous mcc.college.
Source: The News Minute
Read more: Where does the water in your tap come from?
Discoloured water in Thiruvanmiyur’s 4th Seaward Road
In Thiruvanmiyur’s 4th Seaward road, rusty metro water pipes are causing water supply to turn discoloured. This has in turn caused damage to a number of electrical appliances, clothes and vessels.
Residents have been asking Metro Water to replace the old pipelines for years, with many purchasing costly water purifiers due to inaction on the part of the local body.
According to Metro Water engineer Jahnsi Rani, estimates are being prepared to replace all the pipes in the area. Currently Thiruvanmayur receives water from Nemmeli Desalination Plant near East Coast Road.
Source: The Times of India
[Compiled by Savitha Ganesh]