Uproar over poor sanitation in city

Rajamahendravaram: Pandemonium prevailed for some time in the municipal council meeting here on Monday, when heated arguments took place between the corporators belonging to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and YSR Congrress (YSRCP) relating to sanitation and drinking water supply in the city. Many corporators expressed unhappiness over sanitation and drinking water supply.

YSRCP floor leader Medapati Sharmila Reddy and some other corporators alleged that there are many lapses in sanitation wing and the officials are misleading the corporators by giving wrong information about the sanitation staff. She questioned about the variation in sanitation staff in various divisions. She also alleged that sanitary staff were involved in corruption by showing wrong figures about number of the sanitary staff.

She demanded enquiry with ruling and opposition party corporators to bring out the irregularities into limelight. She also pointed out that many drinking water pipelines are passing through drains and the people in some areas are drinking the water and falling victim of various diseases. She also demanded reduction in the water tax immediately.

Rural MLA Gorantla Buchaiah Choudary advised the corporation officials to impose penalties on the people who are not following the corporation rules. He also underlined the importance to bring awareness on sanitation among people. In many areas the sanitation is poor, he stated and questioned as to what the sanitation staff is doing. He advised YSRCP corporators not to ask for reduction in water tax as it is Rs 180 per month. The corporation should also increase its income, he averred.

MLC Adireddy Appa Rao asked the Mayor to recruit drivers in the sanitation wing as many vehicles are kept idle due to lack of drivers. The issue was taken to the notice of municipal administration director also.

Commissioner Sumit Kumar Gandhi assured the corporators that entire information about sanitation staff will be sent to them every day including where they worked for the day.Mayor Pantham Rajani Sesha Sai presided over the meeting. Deputy Mayor Vasireddy Rambabu, TDP floor leader V Srinivasa Rao and others were present.