Copyright thehindu
The Kozhikode Corporation Council at the last meeting of its current term on Friday (November 7) decided to allot ₹1.22 crore for a GIS-based utility mapping of water supply, sewerage and stormwater drainage networks in the city under the urban planning reform of the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SSASCI) 2025-2026 as part of AMRUT Phase-1. As much as 20% of the total amount is contributed by the Corporation. The 33rd State Level Technical Committee (SLTC) has recommended allocation of ₹10.93 crore for AMRUT cities in the State. Meanwhile, the United Democratic Front (UDF) questioned the decision as the agency that does GIS mapping was being selected at the State level through a bid. Opposition leader K.C. Shobhita pointed out that the State selecting the agency for several previous projects had been a disaster and suggested that the Corporation carry out the tendering process by itself. IUML councillor K. Moideen Koya alleged that the Corporation had paid for the State’s vested interest in selecting some of the agencies. However, Deputy Mayor C.P. Musafir Ahamed explained that the tendering procedure was carried out at the State level for all AMRUT cities in the State. Health standing committee chairperson S. Jayasree pointed out that GIS mapping would be helpful in plugging the recurring leaks in water pipelines, and that it should be implemented at the earliest by an agency with maximum technical efficacy. The agenda was passed through a voice vote in which 16 UDF councillors voted against it. The UDF also questioned the move to extend the services of a few daily wage workers who were appointed under the Waste-free Kerala campaign. The move to extend the services of 50 sanitation workers was seen as a continuation of the appointment of 250 workers at the previous council meeting, which the UDF had alleged was through backdoor entry. Mr. Moideen Koya alleged that the ruling front was trying to appease more people before the local body polls by providing them backdoor entry into government jobs. However, Mr. Koya’s criticism was brushed aside by Mayor Beena Philip on the grounds that the workers were required to handle additional responsibilities in the waste management sector. Meanwhile, the council approved the reward of ₹9,300 for individuals who reported incidents of waste dumping in public places. Ms. Shobhita said the health wing did not insist on recording information and the identities of people who reported them, as it would prove counter-productive. Instead, the civic authorities should accept even information provided anonymously, she added. The council also discussed methods to check littering on the beach food street. Announcement systems and LED walls carrying the message against littering, besides uniformed Health wing officials keeping a watch for some time, were considered.
