Councillors of different political parties extended support to the DMK in criticising the State government for not releasing the ward development funds, at the Greater Corporation Corporation (GCC) Council meeting on Friday.
The councillors, including those from the Congress, the AIADMK, and the BJP, also raised concerns over cancelled tenders, gaps in the stormwater drain network, and poor road conditions. DMK’s floor leader, N. Ramalingam, moved a resolution seeking special funds — ₹60 crore for each ward — from the State government for ward development works.
Ward 141 councillor A. Raja Anbazhagan, who contested the 2026 Assembly election as the DMK candidate from T. Nagar, said councillors should consider resigning before the next Council meeting if the ward development funds were not released.
Later, BJP councillor Uma Anandan, who wore black in support of the resolution, said even capital funds were not released. “We [councillors] are not asking for cars for ourselves, but for funds to implement projects. After working for all these months, we are unable to complete projects in the last leg due to the lack of funds,” she said.
“I want to implement flood mitigation works on Subba Reddy Street. I also intend to link the stormwater drain in Ellaiamman Koil Street with the one near Madley Road Subway to mitigate flooding. But the GCC has not allocated funds for the past five months. Does the State government know its priorities?” she added.
AIADMK councillor T. Sathyanathan said funds had been disbursed uniformly in the past four years, but were not being released now, which was condemnable.
Councillors from the CPI and the CPI(M), M. Renuka and R. Jayaraman, supported the demand. Mr. Jayaraman criticised GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran for allegedly “blocking the release of ward development funds”. Councillors from the MDMK, VCK, and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi also supported the resolution.
Standing Committee (Works) chairperson C. Velu, who contested the 2026 Assembly election as the DMK candidate from Anna Nagar, said the State government was withholding funds because it feared that the DMK could win the forthcoming local body elections. Valasaravakkam ward committee chairperson V. Rajan questioned whether the current regime was democratic or bureaucratic, and said councillors may hold a hunger strike if the situation continued.
DMK councillor for K.K. Nagar K. Karna said several emergency works undertaken using ward-level funds were stalled and that the TVK government must be held responsible in case there was more stagnation this monsoon.
Manali DMK councillor A. Rajendran said the tenders for the flood management centre in his ward were cancelled, roads were not re-laid due to high bitumen prices, and a community hall in Sadayankuppam needed an overhaul.
Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar, referring to the GCC’s financial constraints and the lack of progress in projects for which foundation stones were laid by former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, said the Corporation should consider providing maternity and menstrual leave to the protesting National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) workers. He said, “The State now boasts the smooth functioning of the Amma Unavagams across the city. It was the GCC that earlier allocated ₹100 crore to ensure this.”
Mayor R. Priya said the Council would formally register its dissatisfaction with the State government, and a resolution urging it to take note of the Council’s demand would be passed.
“Only if the funds are released now can the works be scheduled and completed within six to seven months… earlier, over 100 resolutions would be passed, but now barely 30 have been passed, and that too pertaining to the dispersal of pension and the maintenance or deployment of temporary NULM workers,” she said.
She also insisted that the Commissioner issue a circular to the zonal officials to coordinate with the councillors and chairpersons regarding projects, inspections, and civic works at the meeting.
Will take to CM’s notice: Congress
Tiruvottiyur councillor and leader of 13 Congress councillors in the GCC M. Samuel Diraviam, supporting the resolution, said he would take the issue to the notice of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
Meanwhile, Alwarthirunagar councillor V.V. Giridharan, who had recently declared that he had joined the TVK, said the councillor fund that he had saved from last year could be used to complete the setting up of a health and wellness centre in the ward, in case capital funds could not be disbursed.
Published – August 29, 2026 05:30 am IST
