Councillors call for ₹1 crore ward funds, solatium, pension and vehicles

At the council meeting for the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Budget session for the financial year 2026–27, councillors united in seeking an increase in their Ward Development Funds, up to ₹1 crore.

This began when Valasaravakkam Ward Committee chairman V. Rajan demanded that the current allocation of ₹60 lakh be raised to ₹75 lakh or further per ward, a proposal supported by Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar and several councillors. The councillor also asked the GCC to request a GST exemption for these funds from the Central government.

Later, Anna Nagar Ward Committee chairman K.P. Jain pressed for an increase. When DMK leader of the Floor N.Ramalingam asked what is the amount expected, Mr.Jain said ₹80 lakh is expected, while Education Standing Committee chairman D. Viswanathan indicated it could be raised to ₹1 crore per ward, which received support from several DMK councillors at the meeting.

Further, Fathima Muzaffer, councillor of the Indian Union Muslim League in Royapettah, said that allocating ₹200 crore – ₹1 crore per ward – for councillors’ funds was not a large amount for the Chennai Corporation and should be considered. In response, Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar said it would be ₹1 crore in the future; she said could be even in the present.

Mayor R. Priya replied that the feasibility of these requests would be evaluated after the meeting.

Pension and solatium

S. Jeevan, councillor of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), supported the demand to increase councillors’ funds to ₹1 crore, adding that ₹25 lakh should be given as solatium to the family if a councillor dies in office.

He said that a pension of ₹1 should be provided to the retired councillors as a token in recognition of their service.

Vehicles

Mr Rajan also said that councillors should each be assigned a vehicle, just as officials are, for official work.

Viduthalai Siruthaigal Katchi (VCK) councillor in Thiru.Vi.Ka Nagar, G. Gopinath, supported this, saying that two-wheelers or three-wheelers should be provided to the elected representatives.