While the political leadership in the state is engaged in heated debates over the high voltage Emerging Kerala meet, the host city corporation has also landed in a controversy following the alleged autocratic decisions taken by the mayor in connection with the conclave.
There’s stiff opposition to the unilateral decisions taken by mayor Tony Chammany like banning the sale of tender coconuts in the city for three days and yet another ban on wayside eateries in the city during this period.
Opposition leader K. J. Jacob and the councillors said nobody was consulted on this and when the state was trying to promote its strengths, it was foolish to ban the sale of tender coconuts, a product which is symbolic of everything that spells Kerala.
“The mayor is taking decisions on his own without consulting us. Though we are not against making the city clean for the investors’ conclave, decisions should be taken in a democratic manner. Banning the sale of tender coconuts and functioning of wayside eateries will definitely affect the livelihood of hundreds of people,” said the opposition leader.
Strongly objecting to the ‘undemocratic’ decision of the mayor, P.S. Prakash, CPM councillor, said that the ruling bench had made it a habit of taking major policy decisions unilaterally.
The mayor, however, brushed aside the allegations raised by the opposition councillors.
Road repair works, come rain or shine
The city is getting spruced up for the Emerging Kerala meet. The corporation and the public works department have jointly undertaken the exercise of repairing the roads on a war footing. All major and arterial roads are being repaired, the rains notwithstanding.
“Patch work, cleaning and beautification of major roads including SA Road, Chittoor Road, Edappally – High Court Road, Banerjee Road, MG Road and Foreshore Road are being carried out jointly by the corporation and the PWD. Bushes along the roads will be cut down and reflector stickers will be put up on all medians,” said Soumini Jain, chairperson of the works standing committee. But a lot of work has been held up because of the incessant rains.
“Tarring will not be possible if it rains heavily. But other works can be finished by Sunday. The civic body will ensure that the main routes and alternate routes from the airport to the city are in good condition during the three days — from September 12 to 14, so that the delegates and VIPs can be assured of a smooth ride,” she added.