The Hindu : Stepmotherly treatment, says Madurai Mayor

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 21, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Stepmotherly treatment, says Madurai Mayor

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI NOV. 20. Even as the civic scenario, particularly the condition of roads, in the city is worsening with hardly any indication of immediate relief, the Mayor, C. Ramachandran, has squarely blamed the AIADMK Government for the "stepmotherly'' treatment meted out to the Madurai Corporation in funds allocation.

``Most of my powers have been curtailed and some officials are not adhering to the Council recommendations. The gap between the elected body and the executive is widening which will destabilise the system,'' the two-time MLA and DMK Mayor told in an interview here today.

As per the new rules, the Corporation could have direct correspondence with the Government and vice-versa, without the Mayor's knowledge. "This will only put me in darkness about the day-to-day administrative functions of the Corporation,'' Mr. Ramachandran said.

The Mayor's right to call for files had been withdrawn and now he could only ask for a report from officials. Several other powers regarding tenders and award of contracts had also been cancelled, he said.

Meanwhile, the Government did not approve of a Corporation proposal to permit the Mayor to participate in a conference organised by the `All-India Council of Mayors' in New Delhi on November 12, to discuss, among other issues, executive and financial powers of Mayors.

``A resolution was passed unanimously at the council meeting on October 31 that the Mayor should participate in the conference at the expense of the Corporation,'' he said and added that he would take up with Union Ministers allocation of funds to beautify the `Temple City' as desired by the councillors.

Though the Corporation Commissioner sent a letter seeking government permission, followed by reminders, there was no response. Even the proposal of the Mayor's participation in an international workshop to study solid waste management techniques in Australia, New Zealand and Thailand, was awaiting government nod, official sources said.

Mr. Ramachandran earned the wrath of some DMK leaders for calling on the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, in Chennai soon after assuming office to seek funds for developing the city. His efforts did not yield anything more than routine allocations.

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