Coimbatore: The introduction of bills in the state assembly to upgrade Hosur municipality has evoked mixed responses from the public. While some consider it an opportunity to get better amenities, others see it as a bait to win votes.Pointing out that Hosur has only 30% of basic qualities required for a special grade municipality, its ex-chairman N S Madeshwaran wondered at the government’s move to upgrade it into a corporation. “If it happens, people will have to shell out more on taxes, which will go up further. With the municipality already struggling to collect tax dues, what would be the situation when the tax amount increases? The municipality is yet to collect more than 40% of pending taxes.”He said the woes faced by the municipality were aplenty - more than 80% roads are not tarred, 60% wards don’t have purified water supply and 40% areas don’t have street lamps. “When it has failed to provide basic amenities to the residents of 45 wards, how will it serve additional eight village panchayats with a population of 41,000?”During the centenary celebration of former chief minister M G Ramachandran at Krishnagiri in September 2017, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had made an announcement to upgrade Hosur municipality into corporation. “Why did it take them almost one-and-a-half-year to introduce a bill in this regard in the assembly?” Madeshwaran asked.B Venkatesh, PMK district joint secretary, Krishnagiri west, said the move was aimed at sweeping votes in both the Lok Sabha polls and byelection, and not to help the public. “The move would have been lauded if the government had upgraded infrastructure before announcing its decision to make it a corporation.”Welcoming the move, R Dorai, president of Hosur Federation of all Residential Welfare Association, said it would pave way for more infrastructure and more funds from both the state and central governments. “The municipality has been struggling because of lack of staff and funds. Once it is upgraded, both the fund and staff would be increased.”K Velumurgan, president of Hosur Small and Tiny Industries Association (HOSTIA) said the move would ensure quality services in the fields of transportation, education and medicine. He, however, urged the government not to increase taxes. “Why should we pay additional taxes when we do not have any facilities? The government should first focus on providing basic amenities and upgrading infrastructure in the region.”

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