TN Assembly Day 4: Leaders of Local Bodies to Be Directly Elected
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The third day of the Tamil Nadu Assembly proceedings saw the MLAs spar over the salary hike bill and the transport strike that has crippled the state for a week now.
- The transport strike and the MLAs salary hike bill dominated proceedings on Day 3
- On Day 2, the Assembly saw a heated debate on the TN government’s handling of Cyclone Ockhi
- The Palanisami government said all measures were taken to warn fishermen before disaster struck
- On Day 1 of the Assembly, DMK and Congress MLAs demanded a floor test, saying AIADMK did not have requisite number of MLAs
New Bill to Directly Elect Leaders to Local Bodies on Day 4
The Tamil Nadu government has tabled a bill to directly elect Mayors, Municipal Chairpersons and Panchayat leaders. Until now, councillors would elect Mayors and chiefs following an amendment during Jayalalithaa's tenure.
SP Velumani, minister for municipal administration proposed that the direct election of leaders of local bodies will ensure better administration.
Stalin, Dhinakaran Oppose Salary Hike
The DMK raised objections to the bill in the house after it was introduced. “We are strongly opposing the draft which provides Salary hike for MLA's. At the time of the crisis if this govt passes the bill, people will laugh at us,” DMK working president MK Stalin said.
Reiterating the DMK’s stance on the issue, TTV Dhinakaran said: “I oppose 100 percent hike to MLAs. If it is a reasonable percentage it's fine. This is unnecessary when state is facing severe problems. I think this has been done to keep MLAs in good books in present situation”.
Assembly Discusses Bus Strike – But Barely
The TN government had stated that the finances of transport department were not strong enough to meet the wage hike demands of the striking transport union workers.
The strike has been going on for over six days now, with no solution in sight.
Commuters have been left in the lurch, with both the TN government and the transport unions refusing to compromise.
Draft Bill on Salary Hike for MLAs Tabled
CM Palanisami introduces the bill to the house. DMK and TTV MLAs opposed the draft proposal that falls under the Tamil Nadu Payment of Salaries Amendment Bill, 2018.
Pending dues of Rs 750 crore will be paid to retired workers before Pongal, the CM said.
MLA Salary Hike Draft Bill to be Tabled on Day 3
The monthly salary and other allowances paid to every Member of the Legislative Assembly in Tamil Nadu will be increased from the existing Rs 55,000 to Rs 1.05 lakh.
The bill will be tabled today by CM and will come into effect tomorrow once the house passes it. MLAs will receive the salary along with arrears.
Government Responds to Ockhi Criticism
Chief Minister Edapadi Palanisami responded to the criticism saying the state sprung into action even before the cyclone struck by issuing a warning to all fishermen. Disaster response forces were deployed at crucial points and help reached immediately.
Opposition Criticises Cyclone Ochki Preparation
Congress condemned the Tamil Nadu government for not being prepared for Cyclone Ockhi, which claimed over 40 lives and rendered several fishermen missing.
DMK working President MK Stalin questioned the lack of action on part of the state government to track down the missing fishermen.
TN Assembly Day 2
The second Assembly session began at 10.30 am, with ministers paying condolences to MLAs who had passed away since the last session. The discussion kicked-off with a debate on the relief and rescue measures for Cyclone Ockhi.
TTV Dhinakaran Says Will Activate Sleeper Cells Soon
The newly elected MLA TTV Dhinakaran was greeted by loud cheers and slogans hailing him as the next Chief minister of Tamil Nadu as he stepped out of the House after the session.
He slammed the ruling party, saying money cannot buy people’s votes and there can’t be a better example than what happened at the RK Nagar bypolls. He added that the ruling party does not have the majority and he will do all that is possible to gain the party name and two-leaves symbol.
MLA Bus Invites Criticsm
It has been a practice for a government bus to pick up MLAs from the Secretariat after the Assembly session and drop them at the MLA hostel.
But this year, considering the bus strike which has been going on for six days now, opposition parties criticised the Chief Minister for having a permanent driver on hand to transport MLAs while people are stranded without buses on the road.
DMK, Congress Walk out Amid Governor's Speech
The MK Stalin-led DMK staged a walkout in the middle of the new Governor Banwari Lal Purohit’s maiden speech. Congress MLAs and a lone IUML legislator followed suit. Stalin raised slogans and has demanded a floor test, saying the ruling AIADMK did not have requisite number of MLAs after 18 MLAs were disqualified.
The DMK has also blamed the Governor for giving ample opportunity to the government to continue despite disqualification of the MLAs. He also said that they will decide on the no confidence motion after the court gives its verdict on the 18 disqualified MLAs and the floor test.
Congress blamed the government for the ongoing bus strike and their poor response to the Cyclone Ochki.
Governor Banwarilal Purohit Makes Maiden Assembly Address
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit made his maiden address to the state assembly even as the main opposition DMK along with its allies walked out of the House boycotting his speech. Soon after he arrived, Purohit greeted all members of the House with a 'Vanakkam' and began his address.
Even as he began his speech, Leader of the Opposition MK Stalin was on his feet trying to raise some issues. The governor paused for a moment and told Stalin 'please ukkarunga' (please take your seat) in Tamil but to no avail. Stalin was supported by his party MLAs, who raised slogans demanding that their leader be allowed to speak.
TTV Dhinakaran Makes Debut as MLA
Amid noisy scenes, sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, who made his debut in the assembly after having won the 21 December RK Nagar bypoll by a thumping margin of 40,000 votes against E Madhusudhanan of AIADMK, was seated calmly.
Session Begins With Debate on Bus Strike
The assembly began with a discussion over the ongoing transport strike across the state. Congress leader Ramasamy criticised Transport Minister Vijay Bhaskar for lying about how 80 percent of the buses were back on the roads. In reality, only few buses are plying, he said.
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