The New Indian Express 11.11.2010
It is my duty to show justice to people: Mayor
KOCHI: It was an engaging race to the post of Mayor of the commercial capital of Kerala. In the end, it saw a young Congress leader emerging victorious. Tony Chammany, the newly elected Mayor, attributes his victory to the support of fellow UDF councillors, senior leaders of the party and, more than that, the support of the people who elected him in the local polls. But how did Tony, who was not in the race for the Mayor’s post prior to the elections, emerge as the top contender in the last minute?“I was really hurt at certain remarks from some quarters that ‘communal’ and ‘group’ equations favoured me in getting elected as the Mayor. But it is not true. I am a believer but I am not a member or office-bearer of any organisation that represents my community. So how can they simply allege that I have used communal equations for political gain?” asks Tony. He believes strongly in secularism. It was the councillors belonging to various communities who selected him. “The circular issued by the KPCC after the announcement of the results also clearly mentioned that the leader of the local bodies should be nominated by the elected representatives,” he said.
Expectations
The Congress is coming back to power in Kochi after a long gap of 30 years. The public who voted the UDF to power is expecting a change. Are these expectations a burden on the Mayor? “It is my duty and moral responsibility to show justice to the people who elected me and I will try my best,” Tony said.
The Mayor said he is expecting wholehearted support from the councillors, especially senior councillors of his party and the opposition. “Both the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor are new faces. Without the support of the council and staff, it will be difficult for us to take a decision. Likewise, the presence of efficient standing committee chairmen will make our job easier in solving key issues plaguing the city”, he said.
Road development
Tony said the bad state of city roads needs urgent attention. “We want to make city roads motorable. I feel awarding contracts for road repair work on a five-year guarantee basis will have a positive effect,” he said. Tony said Chittoor Road, which was not being utilised properly, will be given priority. “I am not talking about road widening. But if slabs are laid on the drains on both sides of the road, they will serve as footpaths.
The Thammanam-Pullepady Road is another key road that needs urgent attention.” Admitting that he needed time to learn the state of various projects in the city, the Mayor said a meeting with the heads of various departments will be convened soon. “Various projects, including those under the JNNURM scheme, are at the halfway stage. I would like to study the genuine reasons behind the delay in the implementation of these projects and find out why the funds have not been utilised properly,” he said.
Punching system
The Mayor said the Janasevana Kendram under the Corporation has inadequate staff. “The implementation of e-governance project will help to ease heavy rush at the Janasevana Kendrams.” He also said priority will be given to the Brahmapuram Solid Waste Treatment Plant to make it more effective. The Mayor did not hesitate to warn that things will not be easy for those who fail in discharging their duties while working under the civic body. “There will be unexpected visits by the Mayor to various departments. I will discuss with the councillors about the possibilities of re-introducing the punching system.”
