AIADMK Councillors stage walk out from Corpn council meeting

All 6 AIADMK councillors staged walk out from Erode corporation council meeting on Thursday in protest against neglect of their wards, non reduction of property tax, diversion of Rs 3 cr general fund for 2 assembly by-elections and Ungaludan Stalin camps and non supply of water under the Uratchikottai water scheme in many areas of the city.
Addressing the Erode corporation council meeting held on Thursday, Congress Councillor Saburama Jafar Sadhik, questioned why property tax concession was given for the Vellalar college for Women, Erode, leading to crores of rupees loss to Corporation, while tax reduction was not made for public.
Mayor Nagarathnam Subramaniam, Deputy mayor Selvaraj and commissioner Arpith Jain presided over the meeting. She also complained over non opening of Corporation Ayurveda clinic in her ward for the past 2 years and her ward was neglected in road works.
DMK councillor Nandagopu complained that while property tax is Rs 80, garbage tax is Rs 200.
Though many pleas were made to remove the garbage tax, no action was made. Many old residential buildings were slapped commercial tax. The deputy commissioner Dhanalakshmi said as per law only tax exemption was announced for the auditorium of the private educational institution (Vellalar government aided college) after the sub division was made.
The unaided portions of the college came under the tax net. The auditorium is being used for many government functions.
AIADMK councillors Thangamuthu and Surampatti Jagadeeshan complained that new street lights were not sanctioned for many years and for the past 3 years the officials said that Rs 18 cr tender was invited for erecting new street lights. The garbage clearance vehicles were under repair in their wards.
They also questioned why huge fund of the corporation was used for Ungaludan Stalin camps.
The officials explained that as per the government norm alone, the fund was used for convenience of the public and all department officials attending the camp.
DMK councillor and I zone president PK Palanisamy said that just like the corporation fund used for Amma Unavagams, the fund was used for public benefit in the Ungaludan Stalin camp.
To the queries of them, the commissioner said the sanitary workers would be given food as per the government scheme from next month.
To their complaint that their wards were neglected PK Palanisamy said that under the Dravidian model rule, no ward would be neglected.
The ADMK members complained about irregular water supply under the Uratchikottai water scheme. Once AIADMK comes to power we will reduce the tax, they said.
To the query of DMK councillor Adhi Sridhar, Commissioner Arpith Jain said the resolution regarding property tax reduction was sent to the government which sought some queries.
If the government reduces the tax, it would be applicable to current year only and not to retrospective effect. Adhi Sridhar sought clarification on approval of unapproved layouts.