New mikes were installed at all seats in the corporation council meeting room, bringing relief to women councillors who usually had a difficult time raising their voices to be heard.

Councillors, especially women, had raised concerns over the lack of sufficient mikes in the Corporation council meeting hall.

Women councillors of all parties had been complaining that they could not air their grievances effectively at meetings because of the screaming by other members, including the men councillors.

Councillor of ward 40, A Suganthi said,“Mayor P Karthiyayini had introduced a system of listening to all the councillors from ward 1 to 60, in an order. However, this took more time to end the meetings. So, the councillors went back to speaking at random, forcing women councillors to scream.”

“We were hardly audible in the meetings,” Suganthi said, and added that they used to represent their grievances in writing.

Corporation Engineer Baskaran said the local body had spent `3.5 lakh for the new microphones with stands, sound mixing box, speakers and a new carpet for the meeting hall.