Congress and DMK MLAs, who have been appointed to the posts of chairman and chairperson of boards and corporations, are unhappy over their “inability to take decisions” on the day-to-day running of the organisations they head.
M.N.R. Balan, T. Djeamourthy, N. Danavelou, V. Vizeaveny, and E. Theeppainthan (all Congress) and R. Siva and Geetha Anandan (both DMK) have openly expressed their displeasure in taking up responsibility citing lack of autonomy in decision-making.
Their re-appointment in November last year to various posts happened after a protracted battle between the elected government and Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi, who objected to the Cabinet decision clearing their continuance.
Ms. Bedi referred the issue to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, as she wanted re-appointments made after an appraisal of the incumbents.
Although the legislators assumed office after the Centre endorsed the Cabinet decision, the ruling party and DMK MLAs had been expressing their unhappiness with the nature of work assigned to them.
The legislators are complaining that as per the terms and conditions, the chairman and chairpersons were barred from taking decisions on day-to-day affairs. “What is the point in holding on to the post when you don’t have any responsibility in the day-to-day affairs of the organisation,” asked a legislator.
There had been reports of some MLAs threatening to resign, but Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy dismissed it as a rumour. “There is no move by the MLAs to resign, some of them have expressed their displeasure. We are looking into their concerns,” Mr. Narayanasamy told The Hindu.
To consult Stalin
The DMK, an alliance partner of the Congress, has openly hit out against the government on the issue. Mr. Siva, while speaking at a public meeting in Moolakulam on Sunday night, said he would consult DMK working president M.K. Stalin before taking a call on whether to continue in the post.
Mr. Siva, chairman of Pondicherry Industrial Promotion Development and Investment Corporation Ltd., said there was no need to continue in the post when he did not have any responsibility.
Mr. Siva criticised the ruling Congress for not implementing any of its poll promises.
