Residents claim they were unaware of the ‘Ward-level Special Meetings’ held by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) across all 200 wards in the last week of October.
As per Government Order 324, the GCC was instructed to conduct the meetings — led by the Ward Councillor and convened by a GCC officer — on October 27, 28 and 29.
A senior GCC official said the meetings addressed nine topics listed in the G.O., including solid waste management, maintenance of street lights, roads, parks and storm-water drains, and monsoon preparatory measures.
“A circular was issued to councillors and officials of each ward to conduct the meeting, and upload the top three grievances discussed on the Mudhalvarin Mugavari online portal,” he said.
Councillors said they received a circular last week. Ward 109 Councillor E. Suganya (Indian National Congress) said a WhatsApp notification was sent the previous day.
A. Francis, president of the Federation of Thoraipakkam Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWA), was not able to attend the meeting for Ward 193, as he had missed the message sent in the WhatsApp group at 9 p.m. the previous night.
Meanwhile, several RWA members said they were not informed of the date or time, and learned of the meeting only hours before it began. G. Palani of Ward 74, said he came to know of the meeting only later.
Similar complaints were raised in Anna Nagar and OMR. “Very few RWAs knew of these meetings beforehand. It seemed more like a pro forma meeting,” said Harsha Koda of the Federation of OMR Resident Associations.
Similarly, Sandya Vedullapalli of Anna Nagar said the meeting for her Ward was held at P.P. Thottam on Tuesday, but she was not aware of it. Further, many referred to this as an ‘Area Sabha’ meeting.
The GCC official clarified that it was not an Area Sabha meeting. A press note was issued on Sunday. Dates cannot be postponed as the G.O. must be followed. Moreover, the meetings could not be conducted again as details had to be uploaded on the Mudhalvarin Mugavari portal by October 31,” he said.
Topics for Ward-level Special Meetings
The nine topics for discussion at the Ward-level Special Meetings, as detailed in Government Order (G.O.) No. 324, dated October 17, 2025, are:
Basic Service Deficiencies: Discussing and addressing service shortcomings in fundamental public services, including water supply, solid waste management, streetlight maintenance, roads, parks, and stormwater drain maintenance.
Greening Initiatives: Discussing the planting and maintenance of tree saplings in open spaces, roadsides, and on the banks of ponds/lakes, with the contribution and participation of social activists, industries, and other institutions, to green the area.
Park Maintenance: Discussing the maintenance of parks through the involvement of Voluntary Organisations and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs).
Monsoon Preparedness: Discussing the desilting of stormwater drains (SWDs) and identifying areas prone to rainwater stagnation to take necessary precautionary measures before the onset of the Northeast Monsoon.
Cleanliness Awareness: Discussing methods to raise public awareness regarding enhancing sanitation services.
Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme: Discussing the implementation and ways to improve the Honourable Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme in government and government-aided schools.
School Facilities: Discussing the improvement of sanitation and basic facilities in schools under the control of the local body.
Rainwater Harvesting: Discussing actions required to renovate and bring rainwater harvesting structures back into full use.
Water Body Protection: Discussing actions to prevent pollution of water bodies and to protect water resources within the area.
Published – November 07, 2025 12:33 am IST
