Accusing government officials of not cooperating with him in executing development works in his constituency, Kanniyakumari MLA S. Austin of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has announced that he would commence an indefinite fast on Monday.
“My protest will continue as long as public servants’ non-cooperation continues,” Mr. Austin warned.
Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Mr. Austin said the government officials, despite his repeated attempts, were not prepared to discuss with him the civic issues and problems delaying the execution of development works.
The first meeting with government officials to discuss these problems was organised in Thovalai union on June 29 and the next was to be held at Agastheeswaram panchayat union office the next day.
The officials, after agreeing to organise the meeting at Agastheeswaram panchayat union office, refused to conduct the meeting and suggested to the MLA to hold it in some other place.
“When I made arrangements to organise the meeting at the MLA’s office on June 30, none of the invited government officials turned up. Hence, I, after being forced to cancel the meeting, forwarded letters to the Executive Officers of 11 town panchayats under Kanniyakumari Assembly constituency asking them to attend the meeting on Friday. But only two of them turned up. However, the officials are not cooperating with me and are creating obstacles. Hence, I have decided to commence an indefinite fast in front of Agastheeswaram panchayat union office on Monday,” Mr. Austin said.
