Salem Corporation Mayor presents ₹35.85 crore- deficit Budget for 2026-27

Salem Corporation's Mayor presents a ₹35.85 crore deficit budget for 2026-27 amidst council disputes and criticism.

Salem Corporation Mayor A. Ramachandran on Thursday (March 5, 2026) presented a ₹35.85 crore- deficit Budget for the financial year 2026-27.

The Budget and monthly council meetings were held at the Salem Corporation office premises. The Mayor presided over the meeting, where 214 resolutions were passed. As per budget, the total value of the estimated revenue receipts and capital receipts is ₹766.41 crore and the estimated revenue expenditure and capital expenditure stand at ₹802.26 crore and the deficit is ₹35.85 crore.

The AIADMK members who wore black shirts had flowers on their ears in order to criticise the budget as a ‘paper flower’ budget. This created a verbal duel between the DMK and AIADMK members. In both the meetings, the AIADMK councillors staged a walkout.

Speaking at the meeting, Ward 44 councillor (VCK) J.M. Imayavarman, who brought plastic pipes used to collect water, said that in the meeting conducted last month, the Corporation allocated a tender to a private company for ₹4,315 crore to supply drinking water 24x7. Earlier, a committee formed by the Corporation gave its suggestion to improve drinking water supply. But now, the control of water supply is given to a private player. “This resolution should be cancelled and a letter must be sent to the Chief Minister in this regard,” Mr. Imayavarman added, alleging that the privatisation of drinking water supply was introduced during the AIADMK regime.

These allegations created a verbal duel between the AIADMK and VCK councillors. AIADMK councillor K.C. Selvaraj said that Mr. Imayavarman had provided incorrect information to the council. “In March 2022, when the resolution regarding privatisation of water supply worth ₹800 crore was brought by the council, seven AIADMK councillors staged a walkout. Remaining 53 councillors, including the VCK councillor present in the meeting, passed the resolution,” Mr. Selvaraj added.

Later, the VCK councillor approached the Mayor and raised his voice to withdraw the resolution. After receiving a warning from the Mayor, Mr. Imayavarman returned to his seat.