In Focus – Citizen Matters, Chennai

Government spends Rs 1.5 lakh every month for empty beggar rehabilitation home

August 16, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

For three years now, the beggar rehab centre at Melpakkam near Avadi has had no inmates. Yet it has not been decommissioned and continues to have paid staff on the rolls. Is Chennai really beggar-free? And if it is, why is public money being spent on the home?

Thousands of abandoned vehicles across city set to go under the hammer

August 10, 2018 Aruna Natarajan

Chennai Corporation has seized a total of 7912 vehicles so far from various spots in the city, some unclaimed since the floods of 2015! Another list is expected shortly from the ongoing drive. What is the plan for these vehicles?

11 years of hollow promises later, Nochi Nagar residents evicted on ‘verbal’ notice

August 7, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

For 11 years, tsunami survivors here had been living in temporary shelters, in sorry conditions. Now even those have been destroyed, supposedly to make way for houses to be built for them. But TNSCB hardly gave them any notice and they have nowhere to go.

What did the audit of public toilets in Chennai reveal?

August 4, 2018 Aruna Natarajan

A citywide audit of public toilets, and specifically those accessible to women, by Dhagam Foundation, throws up the key reasons people shun the use of these common facilities. The study also highlights the Wishlist of citizens in this respect, and suggests some steps to improve the situation.

Pulled up by traffic police? Know your responsibilities and rights!

July 31, 2018 Aruna Natarajan

Accounts of recent confrontations where cops stopped and accosted motorists have been widely circulated on social media. Avoid ugly altercations. Know your rights when you are pulled up, as also what you must abide by as a responsible driver and citizen.

Chennai buzz: Property tax hike relief for residential buildings, shrinking coastline, sewage tankers’ stir and more!

July 30, 2018 News Desk

Did you follow the news last week? In case you were busy and failed to do so, here are some key happenings that will affect large groups of citizens.

Is Chennai ready for a ban on plastic?

July 30, 2018 News Desk

Watch this video to hear the varied reactions among different sections of Chennai society to the proposed ban on single use plastic from January 2019.

Around 100 water bodies in Chennai set to get a new lease of life; here’s how

July 26, 2018 Aruna Natarajan

Civic authorities, NGOs, corporate organisations and domain experts have all come together to identify and work on restoring these water bodies with active community participation. It is hoped that this will prevent recurrence of a 2015-like urban flood.

Kakkoos-a-kaanom: Bringing voices of women to the fore

July 25, 2018 Aruna Natarajan

A social audit of close to 500 public toilets in Chennai by Dhagam Foundation reveals the dire lack of access and reasonable facilities for women. This event will bring together women from all walks of life to highlight their demand for more, and more women-friendly, public toilets.