AGNI supports civic chief

AGNI supports civic chief
INDIAN EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

JANUARY 7: The report that four members of the municipal standing committee want to move a no-confidence motion against Municipal Commissioner V Ranganathan has evoked sharp reaction from AGNI (Action for good governance and networking for India).

The organisation which claims to be a movement of residents' associations, non governmental organisations, voluntary institutions and public spirited individuals, has expressed its faith in Ranganathan's efforts to balance the municipality books and wipe out the accumulated deficit. AGNI states that the deficit must be wiped out and surpluses built up for the financial health and capital investment in a rapidly growing and dilapidating city.

AGNI also says that the charge that Ranganathan has encroached into the rights of elected representatives by not taking up certain civic works is not right.

It points out that the whole house voted unanimously some time ago to pay out Rs 110 crore to end an illegal strike until the high court struck it down. If leaking pipelines and bad roads were really the main concerns of the corporators why did they choose to buy votes through gratuity and ex gratia payments, questions AGNI.

A memorandum urges citizens tolet it be known to their corporators that the way each representative votes on a possible no-confidence motion will be under close scrutiny.