Allegations of bribery have surfaced at the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation, with contractors claiming that civic works are being stalled unless payments are made to elected representatives. The complaints specifically name the mayor’s office and DMK councillors.
Contractors said they support a transparent tender system and “bribe-free administration”, but alleged that despite work orders issued in March, several projects have not moved forward. They claimed the mayor’s office demanded a 2% commission and that councillors sought fixed amounts for individual works, sometimes through officials.
According to the contractors, if money is not paid, approvals and execution are delayed, leaving more than 200 works pending. They said the backlog includes road works, repairs to offices, maintenance of public toilets and sewer-related works.
Mayor Ranganayaki, when asked, said she was not aware of issues in other wards and maintained that work in her ward was progressing. She said a cement road was not laid in a nearby slum area because a drain needs to be built first, and denied asking anyone for money.
Separately, an audio clip purportedly featuring DMK councillor Santhamani of Ward 57 has been reported, in which a contractor is allegedly asked to pay Rs 25,000 in connection with sewer maintenance-related coordination. Santhamani denied taking money and said she had not demanded any payment, while also claiming that earlier a 2% payment practice had stopped later.
