When a majority of the councillors led by the ruling - Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) - levelled charges against the civic administration for the poor upkeep, Mayor Indrani Pon Vasanth denied them and asserted that works were happening only in the DMK regime.
The council meeting was held at the Anna Maligai on Tuesday. The Mayor chaired the meeting in the presence of newly joined Corporation Commissioner Chitra Vijayan, Deputy Mayor T. Nagarajan and senior officers of the Corporation.
As the question hour commenced, the zone chairperson Vasuki Sasikumar (DMK) raised to record her regrets over the non-completion of works in many wards in her zone.
“This is the 36th meeting of the council.... I had to repeat same issue several times...” she charged and alleged that the works had not been done by the officials.
Intervening, Ms Indrani asked, “You mean to say that not a single work has been completed ?” and wanted Ms. Vasuki to clarify. Immediately, Ms. Vasuki said, “Works are happening, but they are not complete... I had to repeat them again and again,” she clarified.
Madurai South MLA Boominathan in his address said, “As a special invitee to the council meeting, I make it a point to attend without fail. Only 50% of the works raised by me in the constituency, which is part of the Madurai Corporation, is complete.”
He urged the Mayor and the Commissioner to expedite the works at the earliest.
AIADMK councillor and leader in the council Solai M. Raja said that there were unconfirmed reports that the Chief Minister was expected to open the Mullaperiyar drinking water project.
“According to the information I have, not even 60 % of the works is complete. It is said that the CM would launch the project in 15 wards. This is unfair. The AIADMK will not allow such things to happen. The Corporation should respond to it in public interest,” he said.
The AIADMK councillor also said that a majority of the roads were not in good shape. When is the Corporation going to lay them,he asked and demanded an answer from the officials. He said that big potholes were not visible to two-wheeler riders at night and there were many freak accidents.
Mr. Nagarajan said that the legal advisers (panel of advocates representing the Corporation) in the courts should be instructed to be more assertive and pro-active by the Commissioner.
While ordinary residents were pulled up for delay in remittance of property tax, some officials did not take action against non-payment of taxes by big business houses, especially, two bullion merchants in the city. Just because the assessees showed some court order, the officials remained silent. The advocates should advise the officials on the legal procedures involved and take action to recover the arrears without delay.
He cited an example, where an immovable property measuring 2.15 acre of land was retrieved in the city with the help of former Commissioners Aneesh Shekar and K.P. Karthikeyan after there was some delay on the part of the the legal advisers. He regretted that the Corporation had not even fenced the retrieved land till date. The officials said that they would do so at once.
Published - February 25, 2025 09:22 pm IST
