Area Sabhas fall short as residents remain unaware of meetings; councillors flag fund crunch

Area sabha meetings across various divisions in Chennai have drawn criticism over lack of prior public communication.

S. Vishanth, an Ennore Solidarity Group activist, stated that meetings in his area saw only around 10 attendees, unlike usual participation, and that information regarding proceedings was not widely disseminated.

K. Shanmugam, president of the Federation of North Chennai Residents’ Welfare Associations, noted that communication was absent across multiple areas, particularly in Manali and Mathur, where residents were not informed and associations received no details. He added that voter enthusiasm for local body elections next year would depend on citizen participation and engagement.

Krishnakumar, a resident of Indira Nagar in Adyar, stated that he received no communication from local councillors regarding area sabha proceedings and was unaware of how communications were handled. He noted that any meeting with authorities would be helpful in resolving issues and participating in civic initiatives. However, he expressed that residents generally lack enthusiasm and interest in participating, stemming from a long-standing mindset that civic problems are solely the government’s responsibility rather than a community concern.

According to Perambur Neighborhood Development Forum (PNDF) convener Raghukumar Choodamani, the forum was invited for the first time since its inception in 2014 to participate in the Ward 71 area sabha on October 10, and suggested holding future meetings in accessible public spaces with adequate advance notice to improve public participation.

Lack of funds

Meanwhile, AIADMK councillor K. Karthik alleged that officials held area sabha meetings without councillor involvement, just like the previous year, and this is against the regulations under the Urban Local Body Act, which says officials can conduct area sabha only when there is no councillor for a ward. He noted severe road damage and incomplete pipe restoration near Kurukkupettai railway station and Ekambaram Chetty Street, but GCC officials cite lack of funds, so these were not taken up.

Tondiarpet Zone Ward Committee chairman Nethaji Ganesan said his ward’s area sabha meeting was held in August with over 100 participants, but he did not have photographs of the meeting.

Mr. Ganesan said the DMK, led by the Mayor, held a protest near the Collector’s Office with Harbour MLA and former Minister P.K. Sekarbabu, alleging inadequate north-east monsoon preparations, insufficient funds and disregard for ward councillors and zonal committee chairpersons.

“Residents would raise issues such as damaged roads and unresolved sewage pipeline problems on the third street of New Mandaivakkam Nagar, but the Greater Chennai Corporation would cite a lack of funds, leaving councillors unable to address complaints and reluctant to hold meetings,” he said.

He said, “The authorities sought to restrict ward development funds to monsoon preparedness, although road repairs and stormwater drain works should be funded through the GCC’s capital funds. Councillors preferred to use their allocations for public assets such as tower clocks, ration shops and urban primary health centres, and the Corporation should not dictate their spending.”

Notably, during the GCC general council meetings in July and August, many councillors sought the release of ward development funds, citing emergency monsoon prep works.