Lack of quorum hits Coimbatore Corporation meeting

Council meeting disrupted by poor attendance

Lack of quorum hits Coimbatore Corporation meeting: The Coimbatore Corporation Council meeting is usually a structured civic event that begins at 10:30 a.m. But this time, the routine was broken due to a severe lack of quorum. Out of 100 wards, less than 25% of councillors turned up, leaving the Mayor scrambling to gather support from the handful present.

The quorum, a minimum number of members required to conduct official business, plays a critical role in urban local body decision-making. Without it, decisions lack legitimacy. In this case, the Mayor had to rely on the very few councillors present to move forward with important resolutions. These resolutions weren’t just ceremonial—they were tied to essential civic work, like sanctioning funds for road development across the city.

Customary process was cut short

Under usual circumstances, the Mayor begins the meeting with a customary address and then announces that resolutions are passed unanimously. After that, the five zone chairpersons speak, sharing issues from their respective regions. The opposition leader then presents their views, followed by other councillors.

But this time, the process couldn’t proceed as planned. The lack of attendance disrupted the flow. The opposition party councillor firmly objected to passing the resolutions, citing the absence of quorum. His stand was that adopting crucial decisions without a proper number of members would undermine the council’s democratic function.

Key civic work delayed

This opposition stance raised valid questions. The resolutions marked for discussion were flagged by officials as critical for Coimbatore’s infrastructure. Without the council’s stamp of approval, projects like road laying and repairs would remain stalled.

In terms of timeline, the impact was clear. Normally, the council’s question hour lasts around 120 minutes, with spirited debates and extensive discussions. This time, due to poor participation, the meeting wrapped up in under 70 minutes. Several voices were left unheard, and key agenda items remained unresolved.

Quorum is vital for urban governance

This situation brings attention to the larger issue of accountability in urban governance in India. According to the 74th Constitutional Amendment, local self-governance bodies like city corporations are empowered to handle urban affairs. But their success depends on active participation from elected representatives.

Also, it’s worth noting that the concept of quorum isn’t just procedural—it ensures that decisions represent a fair majority. In Tamil Nadu and across the country, failure to meet quorum requirements can delay projects, affect budget allocations, and erode public trust in governance.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table