Conversion of convention hall into a cinema rocks Thanjavur Corporation Council meeting

Proceedings of the monthly Council meeting of the Thanjavur Corporation on Monday witnessed the councillors, cutting across party lines, criticising the civic administration over the conversion of a convention hall as a ‘cinema house’ by the lessee

The monthly Council meeting of the Thanjavur Corporation on Monday witnessed the councillors, cutting across party lines, criticising the civic administration over the conversion of a convention hall as a ‘cinema house’ by the lessee.

It all began with a few DMK councillors raking up the issue by questioning the civic body administration whether the action of converting the Convention Hall, constructed by the Corporation at a cost of ₹65 crore utilising the funds released by the Centre under the Smart City programme was legal.

They wanted to know whether the lease agreement entered between the lessee and the lessor (the Corporation) permit the conversion of the facility into a high-tech theatre by the lessee.

Responding to their queries, Mayor S. Ramanathan of the DMK and Commissioner G. Kannan said that the civic body did attempt to “stall the conversion” but it could not do anything as the High Court had “set aside” its submission against the lessee’s action. Further, they added that the government counsel had suggested that it would not be advisable to go in for an appeal in the Supreme Court.

At this juncture, the AIADMK and AMMK councillors wanted to know why the civic body chose to remain content with the court verdict and had not initiated any legal steps to clear the hurdle to get back the possession of the hall built using the public funds to help government departments, private parties, and political outfits organise meetings / conferences and other events.

They asked what prevented the civic administration from taking possession of the property by sealing the premises whenever the lessee violated or deviated from the lease agreement.

The Mayor put an end to the debate by announcing that the administration would explore all options, including going on an appeal against the court order.