‘Silent’ councillors to get a final chance

Last Corporation Council meeting will be held for two days to allow 95 members to ask questions

August 21, 2016 02:36 am | Updated 07:44 am IST - CHENNAI:

With a large number of councillors yet to raise questions during meetings, the civic body is planning to conduct the last council meeting for an extended period of at least two days.

The final meeting is likely in the first week of September.

Speaking at the council meeting, AIADMK Councillor V. Sukumar Babu stressed the need for extending the last meeting to help councillors talk about civic issues in their neighbourhood.

Pointing to the data that states that only 105 councillors have raised queries about civic issues during the 58 council meetings over five years, Mayor Saidai Duraisamy said all councillors would be given a chance to talk.

“Many councillors in the opposition have not used the opportunity to ask questions about civic issues. They seem to be reluctant to meet the Mayor. They are likely to behave in such a manner because of the directions from their party high command. But councillors who fail to make use of the opportunity to talk will be rejected by the people,” said Mr. Duraisamy.

DMK councillor Deva Jawahar alleged that the Mayor’s hands were tied by persons who did not want the opposition councillors to talk during the meetings. “Now, the Mayor is permitting us to talk. We welcome the move,” said Mr. Jawahar.

Congress Councillor P.V. Tamil Selvan walked out of the council hall after his allegation relating to “bits of misleading information” given during council meetings was expunged by the Mayor.

Permitting a large number of councillors to speak during the meeting on Saturday, Mayor Saidai Duraisamy said Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had directed him in 2011 to conduct council meetings as per statutory provisions, encouraging councillors to raise questions.

“We did not permit zero hour because the existing rules do not allow it in the Corporation Council. Meetings have been organised for 160 hours from November 2011 to July 2016. The councillors have asked 510 questions. The council has passed 3,423 resolutions on civic issues, welfare initiatives and infrastructure development projects,” said Mr. Duraisamy.

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