Councillors spar over privatisation, market shift at Erode council meeting

Sharp exchanges marked the Erode Corporation council meeting on Monday (August 31, 2026) over the proposed shifting of the vegetable market to Solar, privatisation of the old bus stand and VOC Park, and the delay in reducing property tax.

The meeting, chaired by Mayor S. Nagarathinam, began after a delay of 1 hour and 10 minutes. Before the proceedings commenced, Zone I chairman and DMK councillor P.K. Palanisamy (Ward 24) wanted the session to begin with the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu. After the State anthem was sung, the meeting commenced in the presence of Commissioner Arpit Jain, Deputy Mayor V. Selvaraj and councillors.

DMK councillor K.S. Sri Aathi (Ward 8) sought to know why a photograph of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had not been displayed in the council hall. The Commissioner said that, as per protocol, the photograph of the incumbent Chief Minister can be displayed.

Mr. Sri Aathi said DMK councillors formed the majority in the Corporation and alleged that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionaries were claiming that they would become the next councillors. The remark sparked a verbal altercation between DMK councillors and those supporting the TVK. He subsequently walked out of the meeting, recalling that the DMK had, three years ago, sought cancellation or reduction of the Corporation’s tax imposition, but the demand remained unaddressed.

Councillors took exception to agenda item 54, which envisaged the development of the old bus stand and VOC Park through public-private partnerships. Under the proposal, a private entity would maintain VOC Park for 15 years, while the bus stand would be handed over to a private entity for 45 years.

Councillors questioned the rationale for privatising the facilities when the civic body was earning substantial revenue from their operation and pressed for the proposal to be dropped. Officials said VOC Park was the city’s major entertainment facility and that the private operator would introduce games, toy trains and other attractions.

Congress councillor E.P. Ravi raised questions over the quality of the development works at VOC Park. He pointed out that the Corporation had stated that works worth ₹8 crore had been executed at the park, while a portion of its compound wall had recently collapsed. He sought action against the contractor.

J. Saburama Minhaj (Ward 43), who was elected on a Congress ticket and recently joined the TVK, opposed agenda items 1 and 2 relating to deposit and consumption charges for underground sewerage and drinking water connections. She said linking the charges to the size of buildings was inappropriate and urged the Corporation to withdraw the resolutions and formulate affordable charges that would not impose an additional burden on residents. Though the Commissioner clarified that the Corporation could secure funds only after the resolutions were passed, councillors remained opposed to the proposals.

Zone IV chairman K. Dhandapani (Ward 60) questioned the need for discussions with vegetable traders on shifting the market to a complex on R.K.V. Road when the traders had earlier expressed their willingness to move to a new market at Solar. Councillors maintained that the new market was necessary to meet the city’s growing requirements and urged the Corporation to proceed with the relocation to Solar.