Date:16/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/16/stories/2007031610500500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Others

Sparks fly at RMC meet

Staff Reporter

Row over formation of ward committees

HEATED EXCHANGES: Members arguing with Mayor at council meeting of the Rajahmundry Municipal Corporation on Thursday. - Photo: S. Rambabu

Rajahmundry: The first meeting of the newly-formed council of the Rajahmundry Municipal Corporation on Thursday witnessed noisy scenes on different subjects, particularly on fixing single agenda -- constitution of ward committees.

Opposition members took up the matter seriously and rushed to the podium of the Mayor and had heated exchanges with her and treasury benches. However, the committees were constituted with a majority of members approving the proposal at the end of the session.

After exchange of pleasantries, Congress (opposition) floor leader Polu Vijayalakshmi read out a bunch of papers on different issues without giving chance to either the Chair or treasury benches to interrupt her speech for more than 35 minutes.

Ruling party leader Rachapalli Prasad took objection to the prolonged speech and asked her to stick to agenda. But it was strongly objected by Ms. Vijayalakshmi. She said: "I brought several issues 48 hours before the council meeting to the notice of the Commissioner to incorporate in agenda. However, the agenda notice was served with only single point leaving public issues to the winds."

All the opposition members rushed to the podium demanding voting on reframing of proposed ward committees. But, Mayor Veeraraghavamma turned down the opposition's demand and the council approved the resolution on ward committees.

Monkey menace

Members took serious view of the monkey menace in the city and accused officials of not taking the necessary steps to curb it. Telugu Desam corporator Varre Srinivasa Rao had a long verbal exchange with Municipal Commissioner C. Nagaraja Rao on the issue.

Mayor Aadireddy Veeraraghavamma chaired the meeting. The Commissioner in his reply said that monkey catchers were called from Nellore and it would take four to five days for them to reach the city.

When Congress chief whip Guduru Radhika lamented that people were facing the monkey menace, the Commissioner said he was ready to release Rs. 45,000 to tackle the problem.