Chennai: Many corporation councillors make guest appearances during the monthly council meetings. They sign the register and then leave shortly thereafter.On Wednesday, not even 20 councillors, out of 200, were present when the proceedings commenced at 10am. The session lasted till 1pm. During the period most councillors walked in, then walked out for a coffee or snack break, and left after signing the attendance register. Just as in several other GCC council meetings, even on Wednesday the House did not witness any meaningful discussion or debate involving councillors. Even those who remain often exit soon after raising issues concerning their own wards.On paper, however, the day of sparse attendance and no debate had signatures of 160 councillors.“We have a responsibility to raise grievances in the council, as we are elected to represent the people. Since the council meets only once a month, it is mandatory to attend from the beginning,” said Congress councillor J Dilli Babu of ward 37.The lack of engagement in GCC council meetings highlights the growing disconnect between elected representatives and the public. Though councillors are required to stay until the meeting concludes, many say they have other events or work to attend to and leave without notifying senior officials.N Ramalingam, floor leader of the GCC council, said: “A majority of councillors do stay until the end. However, some leave due to fieldwork in their respective wards. If a councillor fails to attend three consecutive meetings without a valid reason, they will receive a notice and may be dismissed from their post if the reason is invalid.”Deputy mayor M Mahesh Kumar, who repeatedly urges ward councillors to remain for the full duration of council meetings, said compliance has been poor. “We have consistently reminded councillors, but they don’t bother. They are informed in advance about the meeting, yet they cite other engagements and leave midway,” he said.