Ma Su, Chennai deputy mayor direct DMK councillors to hit the ground

Chennai: Former minister Ma Subramanian and deputy mayor Mahesh Kumar have asked GCC councillors to attend to people’s issues.

In the meeting, attended by several DMK councillors, zonal chairmen, standing committee (chairmen) and a few ex-MLAs, the former minister and deputy mayor told councillors to start proposing projects under their ward development fund and take people’s issues to the GCC commissioner.

“We want our councillors to hit the field, be seen attending people’s issues, and take it to the commissioner for redress. We told them to move on from the defeat and reminded them that GCC is a separate mini-govt-like structure, with its own funds and powers. Many women councillors are new and the briefing helped them too,” Mahesh Kumar told TOI.

Former health minister Ma Subramanian told the councillors to address issues such as constructing bus stands, toilets, anganwadis and fix sewage overflows under their ward development fund. The councillors have been instructed to coordinate with TVK MLAs amicably, and allow them to attend zonal committee meetings. “MLAs don’t have any signing authority but as public representatives, it’s their right to participate even in GCC meetings. They can voice their opinions, and give a letter to us if they have issues. The councillors should receive it and act on it,” said Mahesh Kumar.

The councillors have been asked to work, keeping the 2027 local body elections in mind. DMK councillor from Thiruvottiyur, Kavi Ganesan, said he has begun inspections. “I’m following up on drain and road work in my area. I have asked local officials to fix issues,” he said.

The GCC council, headed by mayor R Priya, did not convene in May. Officials said it is expected to be held by the end of June.