KOZHIKODE: The state government’s decision to appoint T.P. Satheeshan as the new Secretary of the Kozhikode municipal corporation has invited the ire of the CPM leadership and the Mayor.
It is learnt that Mr Satheeshan, who is presently working as the secretary of Kannur municipality, was previously involved in a graft case and was under suspension while serving in Alappuzha.
However, the official version given by mayor Prof A.K. Premajam for her displeasure in the appointment is Satheeshan’s inexperience in handling corporation affairs previously.
“The corporation is facing an acute crisis due to shortage of hands in the administration. At this juncture we need someone who had previously worked in corporations for effective handling of issues,” she said.
The mayor said that she would also speak with urban affairs minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali to revoke the decision. However sources close to the mayor said that she was not happy to have a secretary who faced disciplinary action in a graft case.
“We are not happy with the appointment. However since the appointment has already been issued, I don’t think that we can do anything,” said welfare standing committee chairman M. Radhakrishnan Master.
B.K. Balraj, who served as the corporation secretary for the last three years left his office on Monday after being promoted and transferred as the regional joint director, Kollam.
The ruling front was also not in good terms with him during his last days in office. In an unprecedented move, the Corporation council meeting held on August 10 cancelled his order which delegated the authority of approval of building plans to engineers.
