Mon Dec 01 13:42:01 UTC 2025: Summary:

AIADMK councillors are requesting the Salem Corporation to hold council meetings twice a month, citing insufficient time for councillors to address ward issues and officials to provide adequate responses. They also lamented the discontinuation of zonal-level meetings. Mayor A. Ramachandran countered that he already allows ample time for councillors to speak and blamed unproductive arguments for the termination of zonal meetings. He promised to provide the agenda for urgent council meetings a day in advance.

News Article:

Salem Councillors Clash Over Meeting Frequency, Demand More Opportunities to Address Ward Concerns

Salem, India – December 1, 2025 – A dispute has erupted within the Salem Corporation council, with AIADMK councillors pushing for bi-monthly council meetings to better address the needs of their wards. The councillors argue that the current monthly schedule, often lasting only an hour or two, provides insufficient time for all 60 councillors to voice their concerns and for officials to adequately respond.

“An average of 80-100 resolutions are passed, which is way too many to be discussed adequately”, stated Ward 22 Councillor and AIADMK whip K.C. Selvaraj, who added that during the previous meeting, the verbal arguments and clashes made the meeting end in only 20 minutes. Furthermore, they claim the agenda for urgent council meetings is often provided too late, leaving them unable to fully review the issues at hand. The party’s appeal is not only for more frequent meetings but also the return of zonal-level meetings, which gave councillors a chance to sort issues out.

Mayor A. Ramachandran defended the current schedule, asserting that he allows councillors more than ample time to speak, exceeding the previous five-minute limit. He also shifted the blame for the cancellation of quarterly zone meetings to the councillors, stating, “some councillors started to quarrel with officials without any fruitful discussions.”

Despite the disagreements, Mayor Ramachandran has agreed to one concession, promising to distribute the agenda for urgent council meetings one day in advance, allowing councillors more time for preparation. The debate over meeting frequency and access to discussion remains a point of contention within the Salem Corporation, highlighting the ongoing challenges of balancing efficiency and representation in local government.

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