Arizona Tribune - Chennai councillors unite across parties to demand ward development funds

DMK floor leader N. Ramalingam moved a resolution seeking special development funding of ₹60 crore for each ward. Ward 141 councillor A. Raja Anbazhagan said members should consider resigning before the next council meeting if the money was not released. Councillors also raised cancelled tenders, disconnected stormwater drains and poor roads.

BJP councillor Uma Anandan wore black in support and said even capital funds had not arrived. She cited proposed flood-mitigation work on Subba Reddy Street and a link between drains at Ellaiamman Koil Street and Madley Road Subway that had stalled after five months without funding. AIADMK councillor T. Sathyanathan said funds had been distributed uniformly during the previous four years.

CPI and CPI(M) councillors M. Renuka and R. Jayaraman supported the demand, as did representatives of the MDMK, VCK and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi. Jayaraman accused Commissioner G.S. Sameeran of blocking the release. Works committee chair N. Chitararasu alleged the state withheld money because it feared the DMK in forthcoming local elections. V. Rajan said councillors could begin a hunger strike.

K.K. Nagar councillor K. Karna warned that stalled emergency work could worsen monsoon waterlogging. Manali councillor A. Rajendran cited cancelled tenders for a flood centre, delayed road relaying and repairs needed at a Sadayankuppam community hall. Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar also urged maternity and menstrual leave for protesting National Urban Livelihoods Mission workers.

Mayor R. Priya said the council would formally record its dissatisfaction and pass a resolution. She said money released now would still require six or seven months for completion and instructed the Commissioner to improve co-ordination between zonal officials and elected members. Congress leader M. Samuel Diraviam said he would raise the matter with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

Th.Gonzalez--AT