Dindigul Mayor presents surplus budget, agrees to end outsourcing of garbage clearance

Dindigul Mayor J. Illamathi presented a ₹5.24-crore surplus budget of the Corporation on Monday

Dindigul Mayor J. Illamathi presented a ₹5.24-crore surplus budget of the Corporation on Monday.

The Corporation had a revenue of ₹119.70 crore and an expenditure of ₹114.36 crore. The funds received under the Smart City Project had helped the civic body to lay underground drainage system and create infrastructure for solid waste management.

Soon after the Budget was tabled by the Mayor, an ordinary meeting was convened in which various issues came up for discussion.

Janakiraman (DMK) appealed to the Mayor to keep the resolution No. 1, 6, and 27 in abeyance. Many members, cutting across party lines, demanded the Corporation should discontinue outsourcing of garbage clearance.

Councillors belonging to the CPI(M) and the BJP and others alleged that the private contractor did not have the manpower to do an efficient job. Some others alleged that the workers hired by the contractor were seen burning the garbage at many places in city and it caused pollution, besides causing inconvenience to the residents.

Though officials responded to the charge, the Mayor announced that the Council would not pass the resolutions.

Dhanapal (BJP) said that the UGD work in Ward No. 14 had remained incomplete for many years. The Mayor said blamed the BJP councillor for this. There was an argument between the Mayor and the councillor. Mr. Dhanpal demanded demanded evidence from the Mayor in support of her charge. This led to pandemonium in the house as many DMK councillors were on their feet.