Women make voice heard at Council

VELLORE: A clutch of female councillors at the Municipal Corporation on Tuesday surprised many when they stormed into the Council meeting with a microphone to make themselves heard, breaking a hitherto male bastion. Having decided that enough was enough, the 20-odd councillors vented out against their male counterparts for not hearing them enough and subduing them every time they tried to speak. Around 20 women ward members held up a microphone and aired their views and placed demands on behalf of their ward at the meet, on Tuesday, after four months of swearing in. The meeting was convened to pass 50 resolutions such as taking a decision whether to retain the maintenance of the four urban health centers at Saidapet, Lakshipuram, Kasba or hand them over to the department of public health.  Other resolutions would deal with provision of drinking water, street lighting, roads, drainage and other development work besides expediting tender processes etc. The meeting was chaired by Mayor Karthiyayini, Deputy Mayor Dharmalingam and Commissioner Seeni Ajmal Khan. Zonal officers and other officials were also present.Women councillors unanimously complained that their male counterparts often subdue their voices. Most of the women councillors demanded safety for the primary and middle schools in the area, which are being utilized by the anti-socials at nights. They also demanded provision of water facilities in schools. Earlier, members of DMK brought lanterns and candles inside the council hall and this sparked a wordy duel between the ward members of the ruling party and opposition parties.