DMK councillors in the Corporation walked out of the council meeting held on Friday after Mayor V.V. Rajan Chellappa, refused to pass a resolution congratulating Pranab Mukherjee, on his election as President of India.
When the meeting began, the Mayor, brought upon subjects hailing Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, for her efforts to get a judgement favouring Tamil Nadu from the Supreme Court in maintenance of Periyar dam and for announcing Chief Minister’s medal for the best Corporation.
After these two resolutions were passed, DMK leader M. L. Raj, asked the Mayor to pass a resolution praising Mr. Mukherjee, to which the Mayor said that such a subject could be considered in the next meeting if the DMK gave it in writing. The DMK members objected to it which was reciprocated by vociferous AIADMK members.
The Mayor asked the watch and ward staff to remove the DMK men.
Participating in the discussion, the zonal Chairperson, K. Jeyavel, complained that stray dog menace in the city was on the rise.
“The Corporation officials are hesitant to catch even those dogs that cause rabies fearing Blue Cross volunteers. Is the life of dog more important than that of men?” he asked.
He was joined by ruling party councillor, Kesava P Andiammal, who said that at least five persons died due to rabies.
Corporation Commissioner, R. Nanthagopal, said that People for Animals had sued the Corporation Chief Health Officer after two out of 34 dogs caught by the local body died. The Mayor said that efforts would be taken to deal the stray dog issue.
To a question raised by Communist Party of India (Marxist) member, M. Chellam, the Commissioner said the officials have been given a target of identifying over 15,000 buildings that have not been assessed for property tax. Chief Town Planning Officer M. Rakkappan, said that efforts were being taken to identify buildings that have violated building norms. So far, 100 such buildings have been identified.
