The Hindu 10.11.2010
Road repair soon after rain: Mayor
Staff Reporter
| ‘Transparent rule, a priority’ |
Multi-storeyed buildings likely for housing scheme
To submit report on staff shortage
THIRUVANANTHAPRUAM: City Mayor K. Chandrika, who assumed office here on Tuesday, said that she was undeterred by the presence of a large Opposition at the Corporation council. At a ‘meet the press’ programme organised by the Kesari Memorial Journalists’ Trust, she said that a strong Opposition was the foundation of democracy.
Ms. Chandrika said that her priorities would be bringing basic infrastructure to peripheral wards, repair and maintenance of Corporation roads and launching welfare projects for the weaker sections. Ms. Chandrika said that the new council would endeavour to continue the programmes initiated by the last council led by Jayan Babu.
She added that the repair of Corporation roads would be taken up once the rain stopped. “The last council could not take up repair works due to unfavourable weather. Materials worth crores of rupees were stacked on roadsides, but work could not be started because of rain,” she said. The Mayor said that she had already met the Electricity Minister to discuss a proposal for the implementation of an energy-saving project tentatively titled ‘Ponpulari.’
She added that she had also discussed staff shortage at the Corporation with the Chief Secretary. “With 14 wards being added to the Corporation, staff shortage has emerged as a major problem. The Chief Secretary sought a proposal on the requirement. It will be submitted on Wednesday,” Ms. Chandrika said.
A corruption-free and transparent administration was also a priority, she said. “There are some corrupt officials in the Corporation but they are only a minority. Eighty per cent of our staff are sincere. They keep our system going,” she said.
Asked about the Barcelona twin city project Ms Chandrika said that Corporation would take up such projects if they are beneficial for the city. On the delay in implementation of EMS Housing Scheme in the city, she said that the Corporation was considering construction of multi-storeyed apartments for the beneficiaries, so as to overcome land shortage.
