The CMC opens up to the people

By Hiranthi Fernando

At the Town Hall last Wednesday, a long row of tables was ranged along the corridor outside the Mayor's office. Officials including the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, Commissioners and all heads of departments were seated at the tables by 9 a.m. Wednesday is Public Day at the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). Men and women, carrying files and documents, were also seated on a row of chairs, waiting their turn. Some stood around in groups. As they came in, they registered with a secretary, seated at a desk and obtained a number.

"On a Wednesday, we have 300 to 400 people assembling here in the morning," said Mr. Omar Kamil, the Deputy Mayor. "By 1.30 p.m. we are able to listen to their problems or complaints. The fact that the numbers have kept on increasing shows they get definite solutions to their problems.

If we cannot get a solution immediately, we try to do so by the following Wednesday," Mr. Kamil said. The officials could also be met by the public separately, on any week day in their respective offices. The Mayor and the Deputy Mayor too, are available by appointment.

"It is a new trend whereby we are moving out of the administrative bureaucratic system in government service to a more managerial customer oriented approach towards our citizens and rate payers," Mr. Kamil said.

Members of the public from all walks of life were gathered there with their varied requests and problems. "I came to get a number for our house," said S. Perera, from Modera. "Two houses have one number, which makes it difficult for us in many ways. I am happy to have got my job done."

A group from Gemunupura, Mattakkuliya had come in the hope of finding solutions to their many problems. They were living in shacks built on marshy land given by the Land Reclamation Board. "Our toilets are not functioning, the pit sewers are overflowing. We have one tap for all of us living in 24 houses," said 72 year old Pushparaja, the spokesman for the group. "We are asking for proper toilets and drains. We have no place to put our garbage. Living under these unhygienic conditions, five people from our settlement contracted cholera. We also have no permanent assessment numbers for our houses. We cannot get our mail. We cannot give proof of residence for various needs. Even when we go to a dispensary for medicine, they ask us for proof of residence."

From a shanty garden at Vekande, a group of fourteen people had come to the Public Day to ask for repairs to the six toilets in their garden. "We cannot always go to the next garden for our toilet requirements," said an elderly lady, patiently waiting her turn.

S. Ajith Ratnakumara lived in an unauthorised house he had put up at Gothami Road, six years ago. The National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) had given notice to the occupants of these unauthorised houses at Gothami road to demolish the units by March 1. Having no place to go to, Ratnakumara and his group appealed to the CMC for assistance. They have now been allotted land at Gothamipura for temporary housing for a period of ten months, until they obtain a flat in a block which is now being constructed.

A group of traders from Lipton's Circus had some complaints about the carts supplied by the CMC. "The carts are small, we have lost much business. We are not permitted to even keep a box of goods on the ground," complained M.I. Mohammed. Apart from a deposit of Rs. 5,000, Mohammed said the traders paid a monthly rental of Rs.562 for a cart.

These traders had many complaints to make against an official in the Transport Division, whom they accused of abusing them and chasing them away when they complained to him. "We find it very difficult to make a living," said S.N. Lal. "Last month, I had to pawn my wedding ring to pay the cart rental. There were 14 of us at Lipton's Circus. Now there are only six. The rest have returned their carts. Even when we ask for our deposit to be returned, this official abuses us. We sometimes think this particular official is sabotaging the good work the Mayor is doing. We have come here today, to seek a solution to our problems by speaking to the Mayor himself or the Deputy Mayor."

It is indeed a consolation to the public that they are able to address their grievances to the Mayor, his Deputy or any of the high officials in the Municipal Council, and obtain redress. The officers handle a wide range of problems that are brought to them and try to find solutions. Dr. Tissa Seneviratne, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Public Health Department, said people come to him on Public Day with complaints about unhygienic and unlicensed eating houses, the mosquito menace, blocking of drains, waste water from neighbours' houses, problems caused by neighbours' trees, nuisance due to smoke, disturbance caused by dogs and loud music from clubs.

Dr. Seneviratne said that complaints that are addressed to him are usually referred to the MOH of the relevant district. According to the Council Ordinance there is a procedure to be followed. When members of the public come to him he refers to the file and checks what action has been taken.

The Municipal Assessor, Mr. Sivasuppramaniam handles queries regarding Municipal rates and requests for assessment numbers. "Requests for numbers for unauthorised structures is a problem," the Assessor said. "We do not encourage this." Ms. Herath, Additional Director (Planning) receives many complaints about unauthorised structures on adjoining premises causing obstructions.

They also come to expedite the approval of plans. "They come if there is a delay or a problem," Ms. Herath said. "In such cases, we take a special interest and put it to the Planning Committee to see what can be done. Most people go away satisfied."

Ms. Visakha Dias, Director, Engineering Services, said her Department handles the construction and maintenance of roads. "A few roads in Colombo are owned by the Road Development Authority (RDA)," she said. "The rest are handled by the CMC. We have many complaints about the repair of roads which are dug up for utility services." The City is divided into six districts, each under the charge of a District Engineer. All six Engineers are present at Public Day. Complaints are referred to the Engineer concerned. The collection of home garbage is also handled by this department. "It is convenient for the public because they can meet all the officers concerned here, along with their bosses," Ms. Dias said.

The Municipal Veterinary Surgeon, Director, Engineering, Water Supply, Municipal Treasurer, Deputy Director Sports and Recreation and District Engineers in charge of Divisions and the Municipal Secretary, are some other officials who are available to the public at the CMC Public Day.

Mr. A.P.P.N. Vas Gunawar-dena, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Engineering Section), said his department is the largest in the CMC. About 70% of the employees work under his department. He is in overall charge of several divisions which include water, drainage, roads, planning, the Municipal Workshop, street lighting, maintenance of Municipal buildings and roads, and solid waste disposal.

The Public Day at the CMC was the brainchild of the Mayor, Mr. Karu Jayasuriya. It was initiated in 1997 after the new administration took over the reins. "We first started going to the different electorates in the city," the Mayor said. "However we then thought it would be better here at the Town Hall since all the officers could be met under one roof. We found there were many grievances among the public which took a long time to get settled.

Through the Public Day, we have cut down on red tape and we are able to take decisions immediately. The officials are accessible to the public. Although I would not say there is 100% success, we have been able to find solutions to many of the problems brought to us by the public."

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