Erode Corporation council meeting witnesses heated arguments between DMK, AIADMK councillors
The Hindu
The Corporation council meeting on Tuesday, May 30 witnessed heated exchange of words between the DMK and the AIADMK councillors over a remark made by the latter against the State government.
The Corporation council meeting on Tuesday, May 30 witnessed heated exchange of words between the DMK and the AIADMK councillors over a remark made by the latter against the State government.
The meeting, chaired by Mayor S. Nagarathinam, was in progress when AIADMK councillor A. R. Jegadesan (ward 31) pointed out the demonstration staged by his party across the State condemning the Tamil Nadu government over spurious liquor deaths, deteriorating law and order situation and other problems.
He said that all six AIADMK councillors were staging a walk out from the council meeting and termed the DMK government as ‘vidiya arasu’ (a government that has no dawn). This was strongly opposed by the DMK councillors who wanted his remarks to be withdrawn. DMK councillor K. Sri Aathi Sridhar (ward 8) had an altercation with Mr. Jegadesan after which the AIADMK councillors staged a walkout.
Earlier, when the meeting began, AIADMK councillor T. Thangamuthu (ward 11) wanted to know why all works for supply of lights, shamiyanas, all costing ₹60 lakh were given to an individual during the byelection to Erode (East) Assembly constituency. “When the Election Commission is providing funds for conducting the election, what is the need for the corporation to spend money,” he questioned.
Corporation Commissioner P. Janaki Raveendran said Section 15 of Erode Corporation Act 2008 permits the civic body to receive quotations and issue work orders and added that no violations had taken place. She added that funds provided by the Election Commission were insufficient and certain basic amenities created in the polling stations were permanent.
Councillors pointed out that the parks created under the Smart City Mission projects were not maintained properly and were kept locked.
The Commissioner said that if residential welfare associations or NGOs WERE not willing to take up maintenance works, the civic body would appoint workers soon.
The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.