Eight councillors in the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) await the Tamil Nadu government’s response to their replies to disciplinary notices issued under Section 52 of the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act.
The Section 52 of the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act allows the Government to remove a councillor, Deputy Chairperson, or Chairperson by notification if they willfully omit, refuse to carry out, or disobey provisions of the Act, rules, byelaws, or lawful orders, or abuse powers vested in them.
According to information shared by the GCC, responses from Ward 5 K.P. Chokkalingam (DMK), Ward 29 Karthikeyan Thirunavukarasu (DMK), Ward 144 E. Stalin (DMK), Ward 173 D. Subashini (INC), Ward 182 K.P.K. Sathish Kumar (AIADMK), Ward 189 V. Babu (DMK), Ward 193 T.C. Govindasamy (AIADMK), and Ward 195 K. Ekambaram (DMK) are under scrutiny.
As per the Act, the Government must provide an opportunity for explanation and the notification must state reasons for the action. An individual removed from the position is ineligible for re-election until the next municipal council elections are notified or one year from the removal date.
According to a source in the Council, the government would determine action based on inquiries into the councillors’ replies and information from news reports. “Discreet inquiries would address allegations as some of these could be stemming from personal disputes. Some disputes might be resolved at the Corporation level — either by the Mayor or the Commissioner, with warnings issued to the councillors. Persistent issues were escalated to State officials.”
“Notices would be issued if charges were substantiated, and councillors would be required to provide formal explanations. Unsatisfactory responses could lead to their removal,” he stated. He said, all eight councillors had responded to the notices, but no decision had been communicated by the State. This left their positions uncertain, the source confirmed.
Five of the eight complaints reportedly originated from senior officials of the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewage Board (CMWSSB). “The allegations involved delays in the Board’s operations caused by certain councillors. If a councillor is removed, junior engineers or zonal officials would assume their responsibilities until new representatives are elected,” he said.
Published – December 29, 2024 12:47 am IST