The Hindu 20.09.2009
Council to discuss Corporation’s role in luxury bus project
Staff Reporter
| Rs. 1 lakh allotted for each division for cleaning of canals |
KOCHI: A special session of the Corporation Council (SPV) would be convened soon to discuss and prepare a draft proposal on the role of the civic body in the Special Purpose Vehicle that will be formed for operating low-platform air-conditioned buses in the city, Mayor Mercy Williams told the Council after councillors, cutting across party lines, expressed concern over the civic body not having a say in the affairs.
The SPV will be formed with the participation of the State government, Corporation and the KSRTC. Deputy Mayor C.K. Manisankar said a resolution should be passed to stop efforts by the KSRTC to appoint drivers and conductors for the new buses.
Even though Mr. Manisankar said it was learnt that State government would be preparing a draft document for operating the service in Thiruvananathapuram and Kochi, the general feeling in the Council was that the discussions should be held ahead of that. Councillors A.B. Sabu, N. Venugopal, K.J. Sohan, V.J. Hycinth and Sabu George participated in the discussion on the subject.
Contractors’ strike
Another issue that saw councillors united was the ongoing strike by contractors. It was pointed out that the contractors, who had taken up maintenance work of street lights, have begun collecting revenue from posting advertisement boards on the lamp posts but have not remitted six months’ rent in advance as required.
Winding up the discussions, the Mayor said there were clear lapses on the part of officials in not ensuring collection of rent. As a strategy to make the contractors pay up, steps should be initiated straightaway, without any notice, to remove advertisements from street lamp posts, she instructed the Town Planning Officer.
Even though the project engineer said the contracts were issued in accordance with the tender provisions, the councillors were not convinced. The Council allotted Rs. 1 lakh each for every division to start the work on cleaning of canals. The cover slabs placed over the canals should be removed, wherever they are used, to dredge the canal and the sludge put on the sides of the canal should be removed immediately. This process will be done on a war-footing, Ms. Williams told the Council.
Sabu George complained that the Kerala Water Authority has been issuing exorbitant bills through the computerised process, only to be adjusted later by KWA officials. This has led to complaints of corruption, he said.
