The Hindu 05.02.2010
Municipal officials walk out of council meeting
Staff Reporter
| AIADMK member’s remark sparks protest |
— Photo: G. Karthikeyan 
Irked: R. Lakshmi, Municipal Commissioner, walking out of the municipal council meeting in Dindigul on Thursday.
DINDIGUL: For the first time, municipal officials, led by Commissioner R. Lakshmi, walked out of the council meeting here on Thursday protesting sarcastic remarks made by an AIADMK member.
Later, the officials staged a demonstration before the municipality condemning his remarks.
The Commissioner also announced that no official would take part in the council meeting in future, if the councillor concerned refused to tender an apology.
Earlier, Vice-Chairman V. Kalyanasundaram too staged a walk out condemning the failure of the Council to conduct the meeting properly. The meeting was presided over by Municipal Chairman R. Natarajan.
At the outset, AIADMK Councillors condemned the inordinate delay in commencing the meeting. The chairman narrated his critical condition and asked officials to proceed. But AIADMK members wanted to know the reason behind delay in the completion of the underground drainage project.
When Mr. Kalyanasundaram attempted to talk on a subject, the Chairman advised the announcer to read the subjects continuously. AIADMK councillor Ramu Thevar retorted: “Whether the council meeting will be conducted in a democratic way or not.”
In a fit of anger, the Vice-Chairman flayed that the council was not conducted properly and walked out of the hall along with CPI(M) councillor K. Mariammal.
A wordy duel between the AIADMK and DMK councillors rocked the hall. Brushing aside the chaotic situation, the Chairman resumed the discussion.
While making a series of corruption charges against the Municipality in connection with the laying of roads and UGD project, Mr. Thevar cautioned that the council would have to face the wrath of the people.
Another AIADMK councillor T. Jayabal wished to know whether the Chairman had powers to use the money allotted for one project for implementation of another project.
The Chairman replied that he had powers to use it if necessary.
Mr. Jayabal queried how the Council would sanction two schemes for laying a single road between Sri Vellai Vinayagar Temple and Periyar Statue. Mr. Thevar shouted that Council had been making blunders and officials were supporting it. “We will go for a CBI inquiry. At that time, officials will go to prison.”
Reacting strongly to his remarks, the Commissioner and all officials walked out of the Council meeting. She said that the Councillor should have sought proper explanation from me. But he did not. He must apologise for his unpalatable utterances.”
