The Legislative Role

In the Assembly

சட்டமன்றத்தில்

An MLA's first duty is in the Legislative Assembly — questioning the government, debating laws and the budget, and putting the constituency's demands on the official record.

A. Srinath represents Thoothukudi in the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Many things residents need — water-supply funding, land-title rules, the metro line, a new school — are decided by the state government, not the constituency office. The MLA's lever on them is the floor of the House.

Questions raised for Thoothukudi

சட்டமன்றக் கேள்விகள்

Starred questionAwaiting reply13 May 2026

Will the government sanction a coordinated Basilica-precinct development and pilgrim-amenity scheme ahead of the August feast at Our Lady of Snows?

To: Tourism & HR&CE Department

A reply from the government is awaited.

Unstarred questionAwaiting reply13 May 2026

What is the government's plan to expedite title deeds (patta) for fisher-community families settled for generations along the Thoothukudi shoreline?

To: Revenue & Disaster Management Department

A reply from the government is awaited.

Starred questionAnswered12 May 2026

What is the government's timeline for a desalination plant to give Thoothukudi city stable, non-saline drinking water year-round?

To: Municipal Administration & Water Supply Department

Government's reply: The Minister stated that a feasibility study for a Thoothukudi desalination unit is under way and interim tanker support has been sanctioned for the summer.

Starred questionAnswered8 May 2026

Will the government commit to a long-term health monitoring and specialist-care programme for residents living in the neighbourhoods around the closed Sterlite copper plant?

To: Health & Family Welfare Department

Government's reply: The government stated that periodic screening camps are being conducted and a dedicated multi-specialty response is being examined.

Unstarred questionAnswered29 April 2026

What steps are being taken to ensure that VOC Port expansion projects prioritise employment for local Thoothukudi residents and displaced fisher families?

To: Industries & Labour Department

Government's reply: The Port and district labour officials have been asked to submit a local-employment framework in coordination with the constituency office.

Starred questionAnswered22 April 2026

Will shoreline protection works along Beach Road and Muthiahpuram be completed before the north-east monsoon, given continued coastal erosion?

To: Public Works Department

Government's reply: Erosion-protection tenders have been floated and works are targeted for completion before the monsoon.

Unstarred questionAnswered15 April 2026

Will TASMAC outlets located close to schools, the Basilica precinct and Roche Park in Thoothukudi be relocated?

To: Prohibition & Excise Department

Government's reply: The government stated that outlet locations are periodically reviewed against siting norms and specific cases flagged would be examined.

Debates the MLA spoke in

விவாதங்கள்

Governor's Address9 May 2026

Motion of Thanks on the Governor's Address

What he argued: Welcomed the focus on welfare, but urged that Thoothukudi's Sterlite legacy, the desalination plant and the fisher-family patta backlog be treated as state priorities.

Demands for Grants30 April 2026

Demands for Grants — Fisheries & Coastal Welfare

What he argued: Spoke for a Thoothukudi-specific coastal-erosion package, a diesel-subsidy top-up for local trawlers and a modernisation grant for Muthiahpuram fishing harbour.

Demands for Grants28 April 2026

Demands for Grants — Municipal Administration & Water Supply

What he argued: Argued for a dedicated allocation for a Thoothukudi desalination plant to end the city's chronic salinity and summer rationing.

State Budget24 April 2026

General discussion on the State Budget 2026–27

What he argued: Pressed for Thoothukudi's desalination plant, Sterlite-affected neighbourhood health cleanup, coastal-erosion works and a Skills & Jobs Centre to be funded in the budget.

Raised on the floor

அவையில் எழுப்பியவை

Calling Attention11 May 2026

Summer drinking-water crisis on Thoothukudi's saline coast

Drew the Minister's attention to alternate-day water rationing during the heatwave and the coastal lanes the tankers were not reaching.

Outcome: The Minister assured tanker deployment and a desalination-project review.

Zero Hour6 May 2026

Open drainage pits and an unrepaired coastal culvert endangering residents

Raised the safety risk from open underground-drainage pits and a long-broken culvert on the Muthiahpuram approach road.

Outcome: Referred to the Municipal Administration department for urgent action.

Zero Hour4 May 2026

Delay in shoreline protection along Beach Road and Muthu Nagar

Pressed for shoreline protection works to be completed before the north-east monsoon.

Outcome: The department was asked to submit a ward-wise erosion-protection schedule.

Special Mention21 April 2026

Better bus connectivity from Thoothukudi to Tirunelveli and Madurai airport

Sought additional town-bus services linking Thoothukudi to Tirunelveli junction and Madurai airport, plus a metro-rail feasibility discussion.

Outcome: The Transport department was asked to review the route plan.

Special Mention18 April 2026

Transparency in the use of surplus Basilica offerings for pilgrim amenities

Flagged public concern over how surplus Basilica offerings are spent on precinct amenities and called for the accounts to be made public.

Outcome: The HR&CE and Tourism departments were asked to respond.

Calling Attention10 April 2026

Feast-time crowd safety around the Basilica

Raised crowd-management, parking and sanitation needs around the Our Lady of Snows Basilica during the August feast season.

Outcome: Police and HR&CE were directed to prepare a coordinated feast plan.

Committee work

குழுப் பணி

Member

Committee on Government Assurances

Scrutinises whether the assurances and promises ministers make on the floor of the House are actually fulfilled.