Thanjavur: Parties to move court against smart city programme

Thanjavur: Like minded political parties have decided to approach the court to stop the destruction of houses under smart city programme in some areas of Thanjavur city.

Mr. M.A. Bharathi, Thanjavur district secretary of CPI told presspersons here on Monday that a decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the political parties held on Sunday night.

He said that there is no transparency in the implementation of the smart city scheme. Already large numbers of people have been displaced in periya kottai (big moat) areas around the town for creating parks and beautification under the scheme. More are to be displaced in the course of time. “It is not known for whom this smart city scheme is implemented? Who will be benefitted? Moreover there is scope for lot of malpractices and misappropriation of funds by officials and ruling party members. There is no elected city corporation in place as elections to local bodies have not been held. It would be proper only when the scheme is implemented after hearing the views of corporation councillors after conducting the local body elections. Until then this scheme should be kept in abeyance,” said Bharathi.

There is no other go than to approach the court to achieve this. A committee has been formed to take further legal course, Bharathi said.