Will stop ganja trade, mamool culture: Karuppiah

CHENNAI: Having conquered a constituency that had been a DMK bastion for 40 years, AIADMK MLA from Harbour, Pazha Karuppiah is a happy man and has already started work.“I met the Collector, the Corporation Commissioner and the City Police Commissioner to address the problems in my constituency. We have an equal mix of slum and pavement dwellers, elite North Indian businessmen and Muslim traders. Each of these groups has a unique set of problems which I vow to solve,” he told Express at his Royapettah residence. He said there were almost 13 slums in the Harbour area. “I am amazed at how so many people live on the footpaths. How do they run a family? They tell me a bedsheet is enough for them.” Karuppiah plans to talk to Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa about constructing night shelters for these people. “There are 20,000 daily wage labourers without whose service the whole constituency will come to a standstill. They can be provided night shelters and bathrooms. When land was made available for Hyundai so easily, it can be done now,” he assured.“But first of all, I want to put an end to the extensive ganja trading network that runs right behind the Collector’s office. In Amma’s regime, this cannot continue. I have taken efforts for the same,” he added.Raising the concerns of the North Indian community, Karuppiah said he was aware of the heavy mamool being collected from businessmen and traders in the area. “These people face a daily torture of mamool. That used to happen, as even the top guy was getting a share of the money. But if the people at the top are honest and hardworking, no one needs to worry. No cop will collect mamool from them anymore,” he promised.He has also spoken to the Corporation Commissioner about drainage, garbage clearing and hygiene problems in the area. “Earlier, garbage was not being cleared, there were no public toilets and dumping was going on at the Co­oum,” the MLA said.About the Muslim community’s problems, Karuppiah said he would reclaim the Urdu girl’s school ground on the Angappanaicken Street that was usurped by miscreants. “Good administration will be my motto,” he said.But before all that, he plans to do something about his name. He has decided to change its spelling to ‘Pala’. “When I went abroad, people called me ‘paza, paza’. I was stumped. I decided to change the spelling and end my misery,” he said.Residents can reach Karuppiah at 28352135 or 9444903500.