Date:01/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/01/stories/2008070159090300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Panchayat meeting marred by walkouts

Staff Reporter

‘Step-motherly treatment’ in allotting funds

14 members walk out in three batches
Demand transparency in allocation of funds

TIRUCHI: The District Panchayat Council meeting held here on Monday witnessed walkouts by All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Congress, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

The members, in all numbering 14 and owing allegiance to the Congress, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Desiya Murpokku Dravidar Kazhagam, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, staged the walk-out in three batches during the course of the meeting.

District Panchayat vice-president C. Sakunthala, who led a group of Congress ward members, alleged step-motherly treatment to certain wards in allotting funds. The Congress members’ demands for various rural development works were being ignored, they alleged.

K. Sivasankaran (Ward 4) said that he had to use the provisions of Right to Information Act for obtaining the details about sanction of funds for rural development works.

The second batch of councillors comprised A. Kanagaraj (DMDK), R. Raja (CPI-M) and T.T.C. Cheran (MDMK). Apart from demanding transparency in the allocation of funds, they protested direct release of funds to the village panchayats without the knowledge or recommendation of the respective ward councillor.

Major grouse

Then it was the turn of seven ward members owing allegiance to the AIADMK. Former District Panchayat president N. Nedumaran said that unequal allocation of funds was a major grouse of the members.