We consider this as a charter of responsibilities for us in the Municipality, both elected representatives and officials, to make a sound and responsive administration to make the town clean, green and most livable for the citizens.
The first edition of the citizen charter was only to give specific information to the people of this town on ensuring quick response to their needs and redressal of certain grievances. Now, we are introducing on line complaint system for certain services and a three – step normal complaint redressal system for all other services to ensure quick and efficient redressal of grievances in a time bound manner.
We invite citizens to use this charter to ensure better standards of service and bring to the notice of the concerned authorities, as listed, any failure or non-compliance of citizen’s charter.
We invite greater participation, support and assistance from the citizens, which we value most.
We strive each day to improve the quality of life of our citizens.

3) OBJECTIVES

This Citizens’ Charter is a commitment of the to achieve a STAR system.
Simple
Transparent
Accountable
Responsive
1. By providing all important information to the Citizens about the services being delivered by the Municipality.
2. By creating a system which will receive public grievances and redress the same qualitatively and time bound.
3. By soliciting the cooperation of the citizens in fulfilling their aspirations by mutual trust, confidence and help and by making them aware of their duties to the community.
4. By making each citizen’s interaction with us easy, simple, hassle-free and efficient, while ensuring accountability and transparency.
5. By introducing e-governance and automated access to all our functions and services and by directing the resultant flow of efficiency-gains towards the citizens.

4) ABOUT KUZHITHURAI MUNICIPALITY
Kuzhithurai Municipality was constituted in the year 1913 as III grade Municipality and was subsequently upgraded as II Grade Municipality from 1998 It has a population of 20362 (2001 census) and an extent of 5.18 Sq. Km., The town is divided into 21 wards.

The Municipal Council comprising of 21 ward councilors headed by Chairperson, who is elected by voters of the town. The councilors elect a Vice-Chairperson among them.

The commissioner heads the executive wing and he is assisted by a team of officials like Municipal Engineer, Manager, Town Planning Inspector, Revenue Inspector and other officers.
The Municipality provides the following major services

The Municipality also enforces and regulates the following activities.
1) Tax administrations.
2) Planning and Building permission
3) Trade and other licenses
4) Registration of Birth and Deaths
For each of the above services and activities, this charter provides information about the details of services offered, response time for rendering the services or redressing grievances, whom to complain in case of default for providing the required services and how a citizen can help.
The Particulars about the present Municipal council

The co-operation of the citizens is solicited broadly in the following aspects:-

1 Segregate wastes at source
2 Do not throw waste in Drains, streets
3 Deposit wastes only at specified places and dust bins
4 Do not allow children to defecate in open spaces
5 Avoid connecting sewerage lines to open drains
6 Avoid encroachments on public places
7 Avoid occupation of roads and footpaths with unauthorized stacking of materials
8 Avoid letting of waste water on to roads
9 Conserve rain water and provide rain water harvesting structures in every building
10 Avoid leaving animals on roads and public places
11 Avoid misuse of public places including parks, open spaces, public toilets, markets, Bus stands
12 Plant trees within and in front of premises water them and nurture
them to grow.
13 Report leakage of water, bursting of water / sewage pipes, burning of street lights during day time, damage of public properties posing health hazard
14 Avoid damage of public properties.
15 Ensure prompt payment of property tax, profession tax , Water charges license fees and other Municipal dues.
16 Adhere to Building Rules and avoid violations, unauthorized constructions
17 Adopt universal immunization
18 Complain to the right officer in time and liaise with the ward councilor.

5) WATER SUPPLY

The Municipal Engineer and his team of Engineers and Staff are responsible for protected drinking water supply in the town. For a population of 20362 the town requires a daily quantity of 25 lakhs. On an average, the per capita supply is maintained at 120 lpcd.
Services / Functions

Response Time for Complaints

Needed Cooperation from Citizen

1. Avoid wastage of water. Do not use drinking water for gardening and other similar purposes
2. Do not draw water unauthorisedly or through installation of pumps in municipal connection
3. Get the repairs attended after proper intimation to corporation and under the supervision of Municipal Engineering Staff
4. Pay water charges and other dues promptly and avoid disconnection
5. Conserve rain water and install Rain Water Harvesting structures in all buildings.
6. Keep the tap closed both in house and in public stand post to avoid pollution
7. Report water leakage, theft as a public service
8. Do not tamper with water supply connection or meters
Whom to Contact for Redressal of Grievance

HEALTH AND SANITATION

Solid Waste Management

The waste management in the town is entrusted with a Sanitary Inspector and a team of 5 Sanitary Supervisors. The collection of waste in 21 wards is segregated into Bio-degradable Non-Biodegradable. 4 Metric tones waste are collected daily. 85% waste collections carried out daily.

Functions / Services
1. Daily street cleaning and transportation of waste
2. Sweeping in Bus stands and market places
3. Disposal of waste collected through various methods
(Door to Door Collections)
4. Removal of debris and construction wastes
5. Special conservancy arrangements during festivals and other important occasions attracting large number of people
6. Bulk clearance of wastes in special premises like Kalyanamantapams, Hotels etc.,
7. Maintenance and cleaning of public toilets, urinals on a daily basis
8. Removal of dead animals
9. Fee collection
Response Time for Redressal Of Grievance
Waste Management

Needed Cooperation from Citizens
1. Do not throw wastes into open drains or streets
2. Clean your premises and deposit wastes in the designated points before street clearance by conservancy staff
3. Segregate house hold wastes as per guidelines
4. Report non-clearance of garbage / debris to the designated authorities
5. Keep your premises clean. Remove bushes and shrubs then and there. Prune trees abutting main streets and avoid obstruction to traffic and people’s movement
6. Use public toilets / urinals properly. Avoid nuisance in open spaces / road margins
7. Pay administrative charges and fees promptly
Whom to Contact for Service Deficiency

BIRTH AND DEATH REGISTRATION AND ISSUE OF EXTRACT

Under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act., the urban local bodies play a vital role in registering births and deaths within their territory and issue extracts of births / deaths to the citizens. The following officers are entrusted with the responsibility of registration in this Municipality:-

One Birth and Death Registration unit is functioning at Kuzhiturai Municipality. Registration unit is situated at Municipal office itself. Application and Remittance of fee is made through the Service Counter.
Service Function 1) Birth & Death Registration
2) Issue of Extract of Birth & Death

Response Time For Services / Grievances

Needed Cooperation from Citizens

1. Register Birth immediately after birth
2. Name the child, preferably before registration
3. Informants for Registration should be responsible persons who could give correct personal information to avoid problems later
4. Register death immediately after occurrence
5. Informants should be responsible persons who could give correct personal information
6. Avoid nick names or alias names in giving information both for the Birth and Death
7. Insist on giving details to the Hospital where delivery occurs for registration and a copy of the Report forwarded to the Registration Authority
8. For extracts give correct details and pay the required fees for copies and search fees
9. Inform the mode by which you would like to receive the extract – through mail or in person or through messenger
10. If it is through Messenger, give a specific written authorization to collect the extract
11. Do not insist on recording “Cause of death” in the extract for death certificate, as it is not given, even though the information is entered in the main register of deaths.

Whom To Contact For Deficiency Of Service

PREVENTION OF FOOD ADULTERATION

The Health officer / sanitary officer of the Municipality and his team of Food Inspectors are entrusted with the responsibility of enforcement of the “Prevention of Food Adulteration Act” within the Municipal limit. The trades / traders handling food articles are also licensed.

Functions / Services / Enforcement
1. Have a watch over the sale of food articles within the territory
2. If there are complaints or suspicion take samples of the food and send it to laboratory of analysis
3. If found adulterated, prosecute the offender in a court of law and pursue, so that it will act as a deterrent
4. Issue license for trades under the Act after verification and collection of fees
5. Create awareness among people and traders
Response Time for Service / Grievance Redressal

Renewal of License

Citizens Cooperation Solicited

1. Traders should avoid selling adulterated food articles or articles which are not safe for consumption, as a service to the people
2. Traders may inform suspected adulterated food articles in circulation
3. Traders to obtain municipal license or renew license without fail at the appropriate time paying the prescribed fee
4. Insist on license card from the Authorities, if not issued within 45 days
5. Citizens may report adulterated food staff under circulation to municipal Authorities, as it may save a valuable life.
Whom To Contact for Deficiency Of Service

OTHER TRADES LICENSING

These are normally called “Dangerous and offensive Trades” The Municipality regulates and issues licenses for using any premises within the town for running trades and installation of machinery’s therefor. The responsibility for regulation and issue of license is entrusted with the following of the Municipality.
1. Sanitary Inspector
2. Town Planning Inspector

Functions / Services

1. Notify the trades, which need license together with the rate of license fees
2. Field verification and issue of license / or renewed license
3. Regulate the trades imposing appropriate conditions to avoid inconvenience / nuisance to general public
4. Fixation of rate of license fee and collection including belated fees
Response Time for Service / Grievance Redressal

Renewal of License

Citizens Cooperation Solicited

1. Avoid unauthorized running of trades or machinery’s without license
2. Adhere to the license conditions scrupulously
3. Obtain license / renewal of license without omission and promptly
4. Remit the fees due promptly
5. Do not encroach foot paths, streets by show casing the materials outside the shop

Whom To Contact for Deficiency Of Service

IMMUNISATION

This Municipality is playing an active role in immunisation according to schedule and in nation wile special drives for immunisation. Sanitary Officers, Sanitary Inspectors and Mid wife are monitoring the above programme.
FUNCTIONS / SERVICE

Response Time For Service / Grievance
Details Time schedule
Vaccination to public : Every Wednesday of a week
Vaccination for specific disease : At once, at the concerned centres
Polio Vaccination : Every Wednesday and also during
the camps
Fileria : Once in a year through tablets
Certificate of Vaccination : Two days

How Can the Citizens Help
• Adhere to immunisation schedule for your children
• Contact municipal authorities in case of any out break of dangerous diseases

Whom To Contact for Service / Grievance Redressal

DISPENSARIES AND MATERNITY HOMES

There is one Maternity center catering free service to the urban poor. It is managed by Midwife. They are under the overall supervision of Commissioner. It is situated at the Municipal Office Campus itself.

Functions / Services
1. Providing maternity and child care
2. Providing help and advice on Family welfare issues
3. Immunization and vaccination
4. Disease preventive and curative measures
5. Creating awareness for hygiene and immunization

Response time for service / grievance

Whom to Contact

TOWN PLANNING
The Town Planning Inspector is entrusted with the responsibility of Town Planning activities. The branch looks after regulation of building activities / lay out and other planning permissions.
Functions / Services
1. Granting permission for construction or alteration of building
2. Lay out / sub division plan approval
3. Action against unauthorized constructions, violation and encroachments
4. Preparation of master plan and other development plans and their enforcement
Response Time for Service / Grievance Redressal
Approval of Building Plan and issue of Building Licence

How Citizens can help

1. Cooperation with enforcement staff
2. No unauthorized construction or addition / alteration in the premises
3. Start construction only after getting an approved plan
4. Do not buy plots for construction in unapproved layouts
5. Layout Developers to hand over Road, drains and other infrastructure to the Municipality after completion and before selling plots
6. Follow the building Rules, Development control Rules and other regulations
7. Report illegal constructions, dangerous constructions
8. Avoid encroachments on public property and ensure foot paths are clear
Whom to contact for service deficiency

• dges, storm water drains.

Response time for service / Grievance redressal

Street lights

Citizens cooperation solicited
1. Do not damage the roads for public functions. Adhere to guidelines prescribed therefor
2. Do not dump debris and garbage in street margins
3. Avoid encroaching roads / streets
4. Avoid cutting roads without permission
5. Do not allow house hold waste water to flow into the streets
6. Do not throw garbage into drains
7. Do not connect sewer lines to public drains
8. Report water stagnation, missing manholes, damaged lights, light poles
9. Maintain avenue trees in front of premises

Whom to contact for service deficiency

REVENUE RESOURCES
Property Tax
Property Tax is a major revenue source for the Municipality. There are 6006 property Tax assessments and the annual demand is Rs.30.00 Lakhs.

There is one Revenue Inspector and four Revenue Assistants.Property Tax ,Profession Tax notices are served for every six months.Tax collection is done through Computers from 1.4.2003
Property Tax Assessments are done as follows
1. Zone A
2. Zone B
Functions / Services
1. Determining rate of Tax and dividing Zones for the purpose
2. Assessment of Tax on all new constructions and additional tax for additional constructions ensuring filling up of Self Assessment Returns by owners
3. Collection of Tax
4. Transfer of Title to properties
5. Response time for service / Grievance redressal

Citizens cooperation solicited

1. Report new / additional constructions promptly and file self assessment returns fully furnishing the required information
2. Pay Tax promptly without leaving any arrears.
3. Insist on getting receipt for payment
4. Avoid paying tax in installments

Whom to contact for service / complaint

OTHER SERVICES
SWARNA JAYANTHI SAHARI ROZGAR YOJANA

The objectives of the scheme, implemented by the Municipality are :
1. Providing self-employment opportunity to the people living below poverty line
2. Providing financial assistance for the economical development of women and children Groups in urban areas below poverty line
3. Imparting training to those who are selected and interested in self-employment
4. Engaging the public living below poverty line for the works taken in urban areas under Wage Employment programme.

Whom to contact for service deficiency

RAIN WATER HARVESTING
Rain water Harvesting
Rain water Harvesting is collection of rain water for drinking and other purposes.
Why should Rain water be saved
1. To meet water demand for domestic use
2. To raise the ground water level
3. To improve the quality of ground water
4. To prevent infiltration of sea water in nearby areas of sea shore.
Method of harvesting Rain Water
1. Rainwater can be harvested by two methods.
2. Rooftop harvesting
3. Surface run off harvesting
4. Rain water from roof top can be straight away let into wells / Borewells
5. Rain water in the open spaces can be collected adopting various rain water harvesting methods
Collecting of Rain water from the terrace of the Buildings
1.Collecting through well
2.Collecting through borewell
To harvest Rain water in open space
1.Percolation / Recharge pit
2.Percolation / Recharge pit with bore
3.Recharge trench
4.Recharge well
Harvesting of Rain water from thatched and tiled house

1. Rain water from the thatched and tiled houses are collected through gutters in a small pit used as filter
2. Rain water can be collected on the thatched roof by using polyphone sheets
3. Rain water collected through filter can be stored in a tank or existing sump
4. Approximately it costs Rs. 800 to Rs. 1000 (Excluding storage tank)
5. Rainwater from the rooftop collected through gutter can be stored directly in tanks for domestic use. However, bleaching powder is to be added now and then for ensuring the quality of water.
Whom to contact for service deficiency

E-Governance
1. In this Municipality data relating to property tax, water charges and non-tax items have been computerized
2. Property tax, Water Charges and Non-Tax items are collected through Computerized Service Centers
3. Computerized Service Centers are functioning on all working days from 10.00 A.M. to 5.P.M. so as to enable the public to remit the tax directly in the Municipality.
4. Public can ascertain the details of Property tax dues etc., from the Computerized Service Centers during the working hours.
5. Birth & Death certificates are issued through computer service centers

Web site
1. Public can get general information of the Municipality
2. Public can have the details of all activities of Municipality through the WEBSITE

FOR EMERGENCIES ON SERVICE DEFICIENCIES, CONTACT

Telephone nos. of key officials of the

KUZHITHURAI MUNICIPALITY

In case of persistent defaults, please contact
Regional Director of Municipal Administration, Tirunelveli
Phone No. 95462-2561998