The Times of India             05.11.2013

Facilitation centre opened at city corporation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Three years after the city corporation constructed a new entrance to the office complex, the new gate was finally inaugurated on Monday. Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan inaugurated the new gate and the facilitation centre in a function held on the corporation premises on Monday.

The ruling council members had been racking their brains over the inauguration of the new gate simply because of a series of reasons that ranged from a footpath and a railing that ran in front of the new gate and the non-cooperation of the contractor who stopped the work citing non-payment of dues.

Later the railing was removed owing to the request of corporation. The gate construction had also put the contractor in a fix. The works which dragged on for three years was finally completed at a cost of Rs 10 lakh and the civic body had delayed his payment because of fund crunch.

The facilitation centre will offer facilities for applicants seeking certificates related to health, revenue and other general purposes. The centre, which has been set up at a cost of Rs 50 lakh, will help applicants get their certificates within 10 minutes.

All data entered after 1995 could be included in the facility. Currently, the Janasevana Kendram issues certificates almost two days after filing the application. There will be a two-day delay in issuing certificates only in case of a complaint or inquiry. The facilitation centre will have a general enquiry counter to provide guidance to applicants. A helpdesk will also be introduced later.