Governance | Citizen Matters, Chennai

When we have 108 and 104, why do we need to call the police for health emergencies?

May 25, 2020 Raghukumar Choodamani

An 80-year-old citizen took ill at night, and succumbed, while the family and neighbours tried desperately to reach health helplines.

மின் கட்டணம் அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறதா? என்ன சொல்கிறது மின்சார வாரியம்

May 14, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

இந்த மாதம் உங்கள் மின்சார கட்டண ரசீதை கண்டு ஆச்சரியப்படுகிறீர்களா? கோவிட்-19 இன் போது TNEB-இன் கட்டணத் திட்டத்தைப் பற்றி நீங்கள் தெரிந்து கொள்ள வேண்டியது இங்கே.

New cases? Deaths? Suburban Chennai grappling with lack of authentic COVID data

May 11, 2020 Bhavani Prabhakar

Local bodies in Chennai’s suburbs are not sharing timely updates on COVID data, leading to panic created by rumours and fake news.

What happens in Chennai when lockdown is lifted on May 17th?

May 9, 2020 V Sriram

There must be clear communication on dos and don’t and procedures to be followed upon lifting of lockdown in order to avoid chaos and confusion among the citizens, writes Sriram V.

Here’s what will continue to work in Chennai even during the total lockdown

April 25, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

Will grocery outlets be open? What about medicines? Can restaurants deliver food home? Will Amma canteens serve? Here’s a list of what you can and cannot do during the four days starting Sunday.

Chennai Buzz: COVID-19 updates | CMWSSB water supply update | Mobile vegetable markets…and more

April 11, 2020 News Desk

Updates on the COVID battle, the water supply situation and other major steps taken by the GCC — catch the weekly recap of news from your city in this edition of Buzz.

கோவிட்-19 ஊரடங்கு: சென்னையில் பயண பாஸ் வாங்குவது எப்படி

April 6, 2020 Bhavani Prabhakar

Do you have to travel for a medical emergency or a death in the family or a wedding? Here is how you can secure a travel pass during the lockdown.

List of all Amma Unavagams in Chennai that are open during the lockdown

April 2, 2020 Bhavani Prabhakar

Chennai has 407 Amma Unavagams functioning through the day, from 6 am to 9 pm, during the lockdown. With eateries closed, these have recorded more footfall and have been equipped to cater to even more. Find the list of all operational canteens in Chennai here.

What’s stopping Chennai government schools from catching up with Corporation schools?

March 18, 2020 Bhavani Prabhakar

Locked toilets, inadequate teachers and missing infrastructure. Not uncommon when you visit government schools in Chennai. On the contrary, several schools in Chennai run by the GCC are doing very well, and the difference can be seen in the enthusiasm of students. What’s the reason for such disparity?

Wake-up call: Read the writing in the Kolams

January 28, 2020 V Sriram

Chennai has never been afraid to stand up for what it feels is right. Eminent writer and heritage activist V Sriram decries the strong-arm tactics against peaceful, artistic expressions of dissent in the city, such as the recent one against Kolams carrying a message.

சென்னையில் போக்ஸோ வழக்குகள்: தாமதிக்கப்பட்ட நீதி மறுக்கப்பட்ட நீதியாகிறது

January 23, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

Hundreds of POCSO cases have been languishing in Chennai courts due to lack of adequate infrastructure and procedural lapses. Read the tamil translation of our article detailing the issues in getting speedy justice in POCSO cases.

Let’s swap, not shop: Snapshots and conversations from Chennai’s ‘Reuse and Reduce Sale’

January 14, 2020 Mahesh V

Take a look at scenes from the Swap Sale organised by Chennai Corporation, and hear about the thought and philosophy behind the event from one of the key organisers, Alby John Varghese, Regional Deputy Commissioner (South).

Here’s what you can exchange at Chennai Corporation’s reduce and reuse swap sale

January 11, 2020 News Desk

The ‘Reduce and Reuse Swap Sale’, to take place in Besant Nagar, will give residents an opportunity to give away or exchange gently-used items, while cutting down on waste and helping those in need. Find more details about the event here.

The balancing act Chennai must perform to become truly ‘smart’

January 7, 2020 Varun Sukumar

Infrastructure may be the most tangible manifestation of growth in an urban centre, but smart development has to integrate various components — sustainability, quality of services, employment, land use etc — to make a true impact on the life of the citizen.

The slow killing of Korattur Lake: Can it be reversed?

January 3, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

Water crisis is not in the news now. But in two months, fifty thousand houses surrounding Korattur lake are likely to be struggling for water because the lake is polluted yet again, and the concerned authorities do not seem to be looking at long term solutions seriously.

விளக்கம்: குடியுரிமை திருத்த சட்டத்துடன் குடிமக்களின் தேசிய பதிவையும் இணைத்து பார்க்க வேண்டுமா?

December 23, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

What is the Citizenship Amendment Act? Should it be viewed in conjunction with the NRC? Are the two related at all? Read this Tamil translation of our article to find out what this issue is all about.

Chennai seeks space for dissent amid restrictions on anti-CAA protests

December 21, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

A pro-CAA rally was allowed at the same venue where those opposing the law were denied permission to protest. This raises legitimate concerns over the increasing tendency to muffle voices of dissent in the city.

உள்ளாட்சி அமைப்புகளுக்கு ஒம்பட்ஸ்மேன் தேவை: கோரிக்கையை வலியுறுத்தும் தன்னார்வ கூட்டமைப்பு

December 11, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

A coalition of civil society organisations has released a manifesto calling for reforms in urban and rural local bodies. Read all about their demands in a translation of our earlier article in Tamil.

We get 200 complaints every day on the Namma Chennai mobile app: P N Sridhar, RDC Central

December 11, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

The central region of the Greater Chennai Corporation is diverse, with underdeveloped Ayanavaram as well as ‘smart’ T Nagar. We spoke to the Regional Deputy Commissioner here to understand the primary issues in the region and how the civic authorities are addressing these.

Have an Ombudsman for local bodies, say citizens in their manifesto ahead of civic polls

December 10, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

With local body elections approaching, a coalition of civil society organisations has released a manifesto demanding various reforms in the local governance infrastructure of the state.