Tamil Nadu - Tuticorin   

Fisticuffs in council meet

Tuticorin: Fisticuffs between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Ann Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam councillors marred the municipal council meeting held here on Monday.

Problem started when the AIADMK protested the refusal of the Chairperson Kasturi Thangam to discuss matters mentioned in the resolution taken up for discussion and issues that were bothering the public at the ward level.

According to them, the Chairperson was repeatedly disallowing the Opposition from airing their views on development projects and was “passing” the entire resolutions in a “dictatorial” manner within minutes after the commencement of the meetings.

The situation turned into a ‘free- for -all’ when the AIADMK councillor representing ward 39, Mahaboob Beevi, grabbed a microphone from a municipal official standing adjacent to the Chairperson on the dais.

Some women members of the DMK rushed to the ‘spot’ and tried to ‘recover’ the microphone from Ms Beevi. This resulted in a scuffle between the two factions.

AIADMK councillors then walked out of the hall expressing “dissatisfaction” over the “apathy” shown by the municipality towards problems of general public.

Ms. Thangam said that the administration would implement projects worth Rs.2.69 crore to improve the drinking water supply to the town. Of the total outlay, Rs.45 lakh would be utilised to replace the 500 KVA transformer at the head works with a 800 KVA transformer. The remaining cost would be earmarked towards establishment of a 10 lakh-litre capacity sump at Theppam and for replacement of damaged cast iron pipes in the distribution network with PVC pipes. She said that the Ash Memorial Park situated in the town would be beautified at a cost of Rs.2.5 lakh.

The administration would strengthen the 550-metre Balavinayakar Koil Street and establish storm water drains as well as foot paths along its sides, on a total outlay of Rs.30 lakh. Municipal Commissioner R Lakshmi and Municipal Engineer S A Rajagopal, were present.

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