In 2021, Kanchipuram was upgraded to a Municipal Corporation, leading to improvements in infrastructure such as water supply, sewage systems, and road construction. While these developments have benefited residents, many have raised serious concerns about the growing corruption in the Kanchipuram Municipal Office. It has become an increasingly common practice for residents to pay bribes to access essential services like water supply connections, sewage services, and property tax assessments.
The Municipal Office has become one of the most corruption-prone departments in Kanchipuram, second only to the revenue department. Essential services such as building permits, new water connections, sewage system connections, and property tax assessments are now routinely subject to bribes. Residents report that without paying bribes, these services are either delayed or completely denied.
Moreover, in 2022, local MLAs Sunder and Ezilarasan had published a toll-free number for residents to lodge complaints regarding infrastructure issues like roads, water supply, and sewage systems. However, citizens claim that the system has failed to deliver, with no real action taken on the complaints lodged.
The widespread corruption, particularly involving brokers and government officials, has created a hostile environment for residents. They have expressed their frustration at having to pay bribes for what should be basic municipal services.
In response, citizens are calling for immediate action from the Municipal Commissioner to curb corruption and ensure transparency in the delivery of public services. They demand a system where services are provided efficiently and without the need for bribery, advocating for measures that will restore public trust in the municipal administration.
