Members owing allegiance to Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam staged a walkout at the Tiruchirapalli City Corporation meeting here on Wednesday, protesting against what they called poor drinking water supply in the city.
They raised slogans demanding a white report on the utilisation of the general fund of the corporation in the past three years.
Initiating a discussion, Nagarajan (DMK) pointed out that the drinking water supply was erratic in a few wards and wanted equitable distribution for all wards. He complained that although the supply was inadequate, the city corporation imposed a huge amount towards deposit and water tax.
V.P. Thandapani, Corporation Commissioner, clarified that the water tax was collected as per the norms.
A few councillors owing allegiance to the DMK alleged that the substandard pipelines had been utilised for the water supply scheme and pleaded for an enquiry.
When Mr. Muthuselvam wanted a white paper on the schemes executed and expenditure incurred utilising the general funds of the corporation in the past three years, A. Jaya, Mayor, and the Commissioner suggested that the councillors discuss the subject included in the agenda for the meeting.
Protesting against the reply, the DMK councillors led by Mr. Muthuselvam staged a walkout.
The meeting witnessed noisy scenes when DMK councillors protested against the delay in setting up LED street lamps, as part of energy saving strategy.
Another councillor Rajasekar (DMK) pleaded for adequate maternal care for mothers at the corporation health care centre at Irudyapuram.
He alleged that the pregnant women were advised to go to private hospitals. Corporation officials promised to look into the matter and take action.
When Kavitha, a councillor, referred to the growing dog menace in her ward and wanted early setting up of sterilisation centre, the Commissioner replied that a site for the centre was being identified.