On 9 December 2024, Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi (TVK) President and Panruti MLA T. Velmurugan criticized his alliance partner, the DMK, in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly over the government’s disaster relief efforts. He remarked that “not even a small amount of good work has been done in my constituency by your department so far.” In response, DMK Speaker Appavu quickly intervened, defending his party and declaring that Velmurugan’s statement would not be included in the Assembly’s official minutes.
During the session, Velmurugan highlighted the ongoing struggles in his Panruti constituency, particularly in villages like Pagandai, Periya Pagandai, Chinna Pagandai, Kumaramangalam, Thorapadi, Pattambakkam, and Nellikuppam, which had been severely affected by natural disasters, especially rain, over the past four years. He explained that the people in these areas were facing significant hardships due to recurring floods. Velmurugan recounted his efforts to address the issue, mentioning that he had met with the relevant Minister for the first time in four years and submitted a letter requesting the construction of a dam and protective walls to prevent floods. While the Minister had instructed the department’s secretaries to take action, Velmurugan complained that no substantial progress had been made in his constituency.
Velmurugan stated, “For the past four years, hundreds of villages in my Panruti constituency, including Pagandai, Periya Pagandai, Chinna Pagandai, Kumaramangalam, Thorapadi, Pattambakkam, and Nellikuppam, and others, have been severely affected by natural disasters like heavy rains, causing immense suffering for the people. In response, I met with the Minister for the first time in four years and submitted a letter, requesting the construction of a protective dam in Pagandai, as well as protective walls and ramparts to prevent floods from entering the village. You also took the initiative and instructed the department secretaries to take action. However, for some reason, these steps have been overlooked, and not even a small amount of positive work has been carried out by your department in my constituency so far.”
The Speaker promptly intervened, stating, “Honorable member, we will remove that. Why is that, you should say terms like ‘a small help’ right.”
Velmurugan, however, reiterated that if no progress had been made, this was the only way to describe the situation. The Speaker insisted on removing that phrase from the Assembly’s records and emphasized that specific details of what had not been done should be mentioned, rather than making broad statements.
Velmurugan responded quickly, saying, “If no work has been done, then we can only describe ‘not done’.” The Speaker retorted, “We need to specify exactly what has not been done, rather than making general statements. Therefore, we will remove that word from the minutes.” Velmurugan then called for immediate action, requesting that the Minister allocate special funds for his constituency once the session concluded. In response, House Leader Durai Murugan stated that immediate fund allocation was not feasible. However, he assured Velmurugan that his request would be considered for the next financial year, depending on available resources, and that the request had been officially acknowledged.
The Speaker then warned, “You are all senior members. You should not make allegations during this session. You should only ask for what is needed at this time.”
ஒரு சிறு அளவு கூட எந்த நற்பணிகளும் நடைபெறவில்லை! – துரைமுருகனை குற்றம் சாட்டிய வேல்முருகன் | Kumudam News24x7#duraimurugan | #tnassembly | #velmurugan | #dmk | #tamilagavazhvurimaikatchi | #kumudamnews pic.twitter.com/1RAXQ7UvD8
— KumudamNews (@kumudamNews24x7) December 9, 2024
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