Do not support Opposition bandh, Cuddalore residents told

CUDDALORE: 

                   Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam has appealed to the residents of Cuddalore town to not participate in the opposition-sponsored bandh on Tuesday.

              Certain political parties and trade unions have called for the bandh to register their protest against the slow progress in the execution of the underground drainage project and the poor condition of roads. After inaugurating the science exhibition in a private school at Thirupadiripuliyur here on Monday, the Minister said that the underground drainage project was being implemented at an estimated cost of Rs. 65.14 crore.

Financial components

        

                 The financial components of the project are as follows: government grant – Rs. 45.24 crore, loan – Rs. 8.38 crore, and public contribution – Rs. 11.52 crore. However, so far the municipality had realised only Rs. 31 lakh as deposit for connecting the households to the drainage pipe. Yet, in the interest of the residents, the government had been releasing its share of funds so as to complete the project by December 31. Already tender process was completed for undertaking road works worth Rs. 10.18 crore, and for other road works worth Rs. 10.32 crore the tender process had begun, the Minister said.

Boycott

                   Meanwhile, the opposition parties boycotted the meeting convened by District Collector P.Seetharaman at the camp office here in the evening for dissuading them to give up the bandh proposal. They did so, on the pretext that in the absence of any tangible work mere talks would not assuage the feelings of the residents who were facing hardships in commuting daily. However, the local leaders of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Congress and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi assured the Collector that they would not participate in the bandh.

             They also told him that the private bus owners would operate their regular services and traders would keep their shops open. The Collector observed that the road works could not be taken up in the rainy season but wherever necessary, repair works would be carried out.