But, where is our area corporator?
Fifteen months after the GHMC elections, residents are still not familiar with their corporators who have largely kept away from their areas.
Most corporators do not make field visits. No new projects have been undertaken because the state government has abolished the system of allocating funds to corporators. Many residents prefer a special commissioner over the elected council.
Citizens allege that the agenda of a few corporators is to earn what they have spent on the election.
Of the 150 corporators, 99 are from the TRS. Yet, they neither have powers nor funds and they play no role in addressing civic problems. Citizens allege unapproachable corporators are the main reason for either slow or zero development.
Ameerpet TRS corporator Sheshu Kumari was last seen in a few areas of her division when she took a victory rally after the elections, residents said. “DC has reported the plight of Venkatapuram, TRS corporator Shanthi Srinivas Reddy did not visit the ward even after that,” said Dr G.V. Rao of Alwal
He said residents had given her a detailed list of facilities needed, including bus shelters and widening of the road from the Telangana Talli statue to Indira Gandhi statue, which is pending for two years. “She claimed she has no funds,” Dr Rao said.
TRS corporator Raj Jitender Nath of 133 division has not been able to get three borewells in Harijan Basthi repaired for a year. Earlier corporators were allocated `5 crore to identify, recommend and carry out civic works in their wards. This year, the corporators have not been given funds by the state government.
While non-performance is one thing, there are complaints of corporators’ groupies taking things in their own hands.
It is being alleged that at LB Nagar the corporator’s henchmen stopped the construction of a school building despite the management having all permissions in place. The management allegedly did not agree to pay off the coporator’s men.
A few corporators, have managed to strike a rapport with residents. Residents have a good word for Hayatnagar corporator Sama Thirumal Reddy. He has been spotted touring his ward in the uniform of a GHMC sanitation wing worker, and picks up any garbage found on the streets. Ms. K. Sridevi of Neerdmet has been able to help her voters when water stagnated on the road, and got roads and drainages repaired.