By no stretch of imagination can you call our dear city clean, let alone immaculate. Except in certain pockets like the Anna Salai or Kamaraj Salai, it is outright squalid, dirty and filthy. In many places including on either banks of the river Cooum, one's fingers will almost in a reflex action rush to the nostrils, to prevent the stench and stink from making you unconscious. That is our Chennai.

Our city fathers want to make it Singara Chennai, a handsome city. Chennai Corporation's ban on spitting, urinating, dumping building debris and garbage in public places was supposed to come into effect from coming Sunday. Chennai Corporation Mayor M Subramanian has now announced that the ban on spitting and urinating in public will be put on hold for some time. Till then, we the public can continue to spit even the betel remains sans fear of a fine. And happily we can attend to nature's call on the roadside, humming our favourite tune.

But we cannot dump garbage on roads. . It will attract a fine of Rs 100. We cannot dump bulding debris in unauthorised places. That will attract a fine of Rs. 500. While he said that those who burn garbage in public places and those who keep their surroundings untidy will also be severely dealt with. How severely, he has not spelt out.

What is the public reaction? The All India Democratic Women's Association has protested the Chennai Corporation's proposal. It held a protest demonstration on Wednesday. According to AIDWA, the Corporation should first provide the basic infrastructure and then come out with plans to impose fine. It has raised a valid issue. Does the Corporation do its duty of removing garbages regularly? What about the homeless in Chennai? Where will they put the garbage? Where will they put themselves? Have you provided enough clean public toilets?

These are valid questions that the Corporation ought to answer. Fine. Thay want to make this a clean city. Are we adequately prepared?