Chennai: In the wake of J. Jayalalithaa's conviction and a cash crunch, a slew of welfare schemes started in the name of former Chief Minister either faces closure or an uncertain future. While the proposed Amma brand of schemes, including Amma weekly markets and Amma theatres are shelved, the expansion of Amma canteens looks bleak.
The situation is such that several Amma canteens that suffered damage during the recent Cyclone Vardah are yet to be thrown open to public. In Central Chennai alone, more than half a dozen Amma canteens are now kept closed awaiting repair, said an informed corporation official. Regarding Amma theatre and Amma weekly market, the official said now it's a policy decision to be decided by the new Chennai corporation council to be formed after the local body polls in May.
The damaged ceiling of Amma canteen in Egmore lies unattended. (Photo: — DC)
“Our priority is now to attend the drought, provide drinking water and conduct the local body polls,” clarified another informed official in the secretariat adding that all the existing schemes, including the Amma brand of schemes will continue, but the scope for their expansion now remains remote.
Further, if the pictures of the AIADMK leader have to be removed from the popular schemes like Amma canteen, Amma drinking water, Amma salt, Amma cement, then it might not go well with the party functionaries, explained the official.
Post Supreme Court conviction for Jayalalithaa in the DA case, the controversies and protests by Opposition members are gaining momentum seeking the removal of her pictures from the Amma brand of sche-
mes.
This had also forced the party members and the officials to remain tight-lipped. It may be noted that the venues and nodal officers for the Amma weekly market were also fixed, but the pet project mooted by former mayor Saidai S. Duraisamy got delayed due to Jayalalithaa’s ill health and death.
Outlet tap not working at government RO plant
Lack of functional outlet for drinking water at Greater Chennai corporation's Amma drinking water facility in T S Krishna Nagar, Mogappair, has irked residents in the surroundings for the last couple of weeks.
People are standing in long queues to fetch water from this government's RO plant for drinking purpose. A woman resident in the area, who requested anonymity, said, “There are two outlet taps but only one is working. If both are functioning properly, we could fill water much faster. The time for filling water has been reduced by two hours in the morning and in evening.”
There are frequent quarrels between residents and corporation staff at the drinking water outlet due to limited water supply.
While speaking about the incident AN Chandrasekar said, “Waking up to this spoils the entire day. It was two weeks ago, the water tank overflowed for three hours continuously due to the negligence of a corporation staff who had left the place after the duty timings without realising that he had switched on the motor. Probably that may have triggered the crisis.”
A hawker in the area lamented, “Every day there is a long queue in the facility. If I fail to fetch water on a day I have to spend 30 to 40 rupees for packaged drinking water.”
Corporation zonal officer of the area R. Balasubramaniam, said, “We have not received any complaint as of now, but we will inspect immediately and do the needful to ensure both are functioning properly.”
