Chennai Corp. Council meeting: Commissioner did not turn up

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, JUNE 28. A total of 102 resolutions were passed in just over five minutes at the Chennai Corporation Council meeting amid noisy demands by the Opposition for inclusion of zero hour and a discussion on the prevailing water scarcity.

The council also had another first - the Commissioner's seat was vacant.

As soon as the meeting got underway, the Opposition councillors led by the TMC leader, Mr. P. Vetrivel, and the AIADMK leader, Mr. Karate R.Thiagarajan, rushed to the Mayor's podium, demanding an explanation from Mr. M.K. Stalin, why a zero hour was not included in the agenda. They also demanded a discussion on the water scarcity.

The Mayor, however, refused to concede the demands, saying the special meeting was called because the previous meeting on June 20 was adjourned abruptly following noisy scenes. He proceeded with the agenda and Mr. Kalyanasundaram (DMK) raised a point of order on the absence of the Commissioner.

The Mayor said he was not informed of the Commissioner, Mr. J. T. Acharyulu's inability to attend. Later answering queries, the Mayor said it was mandatory for the Commissioner to give a written statement if he was not in a position to attend the meeting and depute the next in line. This procedure was not followed and he was not informed even this morning about the Commissioner's intention.

``When events like this take place, it is very clear that there is a concerted, political attempt to insult the office of the Mayor. This will not be tolerated,'' he said.

The Commissioner, a 1970-batch IAS officer, who once served as the Special Officer, the top post in the civic body, for a brief period, was arrested on the eve of his son's wedding during the previous DMK Government.

Meanwhile in the council, the ruling DMK decided not to adopt a resolution informing the council of the appointment of the new Vigilance Officer. In response to a resolution (number 100) informing the council of the appointment, Mr. Stalin told the council that under the present circumstances, the appointment could not be accepted and passed a resolution seeking its withdrawal. At this stage, the Opposition councillors demanded that the issue be settled by a vote, but the Mayor passed the resolution and adjourned the meeting.

It may be recalled that at the last council meet, the watch and ward staff did not heed the Mayor's directive that the demonstrating opposition councillors be taken out of the council.

The Commissioner later told presspersons that he had to attend a review meeting held by the Chief Minister which was advanced to 11 a.m. from noon. Moreover, quoting Section 33 (1) and (2) of the MCMC Act, 1919, he said the Commissioner had the right to attend the council meetings ``if required to do so by the Mayor..'' ``There was no message from the Mayor,'' he added.

To a query, he said he had informed the Mayor's personal assistant through his personal assistant this morning of his inability to attend the meeting in view of the review meeting. ``This was not a willful absence. Nor was it to disrespect the Mayor,'' he added.

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