Enhance basic amenities in panchayat: CPI (M)

Traffic was disrupted along Tuticorin-Rameswaram road for about two hours after the Communist Party of India (Marxist) cadres staged a road roko at North Chotaianthoppu near here on Wednesday.

The agitators sought enhancement of basic amenities and other infrastructure at Mappilayoorani panchayat.

They alleged that the authorities concerned had given a step motherly treatment to the panchayat when carrying out development works.

The major demands of the cadres included augmentation of drinking water supply, establishment of a bus stand for mini-buses at Thalamuthu Nagar, streetlights at Jyothi Basu Nagar and Gandhi Nagar, a doctor for the Primary Health Centre at Alangarathattu, and free house site pattas to the people who had set up their base at Mappilayoorani panchayat for the past few decades.

As tension mounted, officials from the departments of revenue, police, panchayat administration and the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board led by the Tahsildar S. Balasubramanian held talks with the agitators to pacify them.

On an assurance from the officials that water supply to the region would be augmented before October 31 with the introduction of the Mangalakurichi water scheme, a suitable site for the bus stand at Thalamuthu Nagar would be selected soon, and stagnant sewage water removed from Saveriyarpuram, the cadres withdrew their agitation.

The officials also told them that steps would be taken to replace 45 old poles that support electricity supply connections at the panchayat would be replaced soon.

Mr. Balasubramanian said the remaining demands would also be addressed duly.

On the demand for a doctor at the Alangarathattu PHC, he said it was a state subject to be addressed by the Government.

Source: The Hindu