Chennai: Four corporation councillors, including two from Chennai, have been dismissed by the Tamil Nadu govt over allegations of misconduct and obstruction of civic projects.
They include Ward 19 councillor V Babu of Pallikaranai and Ward 5 councillor K P Chokkalingam in Thiruvottiyur. Both belong to the DMK. An Independent councillor in Tambaram — C Jaya Pradeep of Ward 40 — and K Sakuntala of Usilampatti municipality were also dismissed for stopping civic works, not hearing people’s grievances and for committing violations. Municipal administration and water supply secretary D Karthikeyan issued a govt order to this effect on Thursday.
The action against Pallikaranai councillor Babu follows multiple complaints from residents and civic officials. According to a complaint given by the GCC commissioner to the govt in July last year, a water supply scheme for 4,800 houses was initiated in Pallikaranai, and residents were required to apply for household connections online. “However, Babu told residents that they would not receive connections unless they met his assistants. Though five contractors were assigned to issue connections, only 180 connections could be provided,” the complaint said.
Babu also threatened officials in metrowater, thereby delaying household water connections and drawing public criticism. On another occasion, while a repair work of metrowater taps damaged by highways department stormwater drain work was on, Babu assaulted contractors. His assistant also attacked the divisional area engineer, forcing the officials to reveal login credentials for the online metro water connection portal. Following these incidents, commissioner recommended action against Babu under Section 52(1) of TN Urban Local Bodies Act, 1998.
Similarly, Chokkalingam, Ward 5 councillor and the younger brother of Thiruvottiyur DMK MLA K P Shankar, was dismissed over allegations of obstructing road relaying work at Neidhal Nagar Main Road. A letter from the zonal officer dated Sept 19 last year stated that the project was necessary as the road was in poor condition.
However, Chokkalingam, after inspecting the work site the previous night (Sept 18), stopped the work later, citing rain and joining a local residents’ group in protest. Seven engineers were present during the incident. The zonal officer reported that Chokkalingam’s interference was unwarranted and brought a bad reputation to the govt.