Tamil Nadu local body polls likely before April deadline: Minister Sengottaiyan

Coimbatore, July 18 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Revenue Minister Sengottaiyan on Saturday said elections to local bodies would be conducted before the statutory deadline next April, while asserting that the State government would not permit irregularities in public works or municipal administration.

Speaking to reporters at Coimbatore Airport, the Minister said the government was committed to ensuring transparency in governance and would take decisions only after proper scrutiny.

His remarks came amid questions over delays in certain civic infrastructure projects and preparations for local body elections.

Referring to the Race Course Road development project in Coimbatore, Sengottaiyan said the tender process had been put on hold following issues related to the sanction of additional funds.

He stressed that the government would not allow any deviation from established procedures.

“As long as Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is heading the government, there should be no mistakes in the execution of public projects,” the Minister said, adding that every administrative decision was being taken with due diligence and in accordance with the law.

On the conduct of elections to municipalities and other local self-government institutions, Sengottaiyan said the present term extends until next April and there was no immediate need to rush the process.

“The deadline for holding elections to local bodies is next April. We have time until then and will proceed accordingly,” he said.

The Minister also clarified that civic tenders could not be cancelled without valid reasons, noting that all government decisions were based on legal and administrative considerations rather than political expediency.

Commenting on the transport sector, Sengottaiyan welcomed the decision of private omnibus operators to provide services under the fares fixed by the government.

He said the earlier situation, in which operators allegedly had to incur unnecessary expenses to run their services, had changed.

“They have now agreed to operate buses at the government-approved fare, and that is a positive development,” he said.

On the issue of narcotics, the Minister said the Tamil Nadu and Kerala governments were working together to strengthen anti-drug enforcement and curb the trafficking of narcotic substances across state borders through coordinated action.

–IANS

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