The Hindu 02.06.2010
Corporation Council given options to energise floodlights
Special Correspondent
Kozhikode: M.R. Hariharan Nair, Ombudsman for Local Self-Government Institutions, on Tuesday, directed the City Corporation Council to examine the options given in a study report on supplying power to the floodlight system at the EMS Corporation Stadium and choose one. He should be informed of the choice at his sitting on June 23.
The Ombudsman had suo motu taken a case after the floodlights failed during the ONGC I-League football matches at the stadium in January. He had asked N. Venugopal, Assistant Professor, Government Engineering College, Kozhikode, to study the problem and recommend remedial measures.
Report
Mr. Venugopal’s report said Rs.2.25 crore would have to be paid initially to the Kerala State Electricity Board for a permanent power connection. Another option was to install generators at a cost of Rs.1.25 crore. Or, generators could be hired on a daily rent of Rs.76,000 when required.
“It is up to the Corporation Council to decide the best option,” the Ombudsman said while directing the Corporation Secretary to include this matter on the agenda of the next council meeting and report back at his next sitting.
Action being taken
The Executive Engineer of the electrical section of the Public Works Department had told the Ombudsman that action was being taken to set right the faults in the floodlight system and hand it over to the Corporation on June 16.
The Ombudsman had directed the engineer to take quick and effective action to repair the faults as recommended in Mr. Venugopal’s report.
The Ombudsman directed the Corporation Secretary to pay Rs.25,000 to Mr. Venugopal towards expenses incurred for hiring generators and conducting tests for preparing the report.
