KOCHI: The special session of the Corporation Council held on Saturday to discuss issues related to service of RO-RO vessels witnessed high voltage drama and ended up in commotion by both the opposition and ruling councilors. Mayor Soumini Jain was blockaded by the LDF councillors in her chamber for long hours and Ms. Jain had to seek the assistance of police to come out of her office. The councillors blockaded the Mayor as she turned down their request to tender apology before the council for the lapses occurred in RO-RO commissioning. The Mayor later complained of physical discomfort and was admitted to the Medical Trust hospital. Five Opposition councillors were also admitted in Government General Hospital.
May 9 deadline to resume RO-RO
Amidst noisy scenes and heated arguments, the Kochi Corporation council has decided to give time till May 9 to Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) to resume the service of RO-RO vessels in Fort Kochi – Vypeen route which was suspended on the inaugural day itself. During the council meeting, the Mayor said that as the KSINC has sought more time from the district collector to provide training to crew before resuming the service, the agency will be given time till May 9. “If the agency fails to resume the service by then, the Corporation council will take a final decision on further measures to be taken,” she said.
It has also been decided to urge the state chief secretary to conduct a probe on the unilateral suspension of the ferry service by the KSINC. Not satisfied by the decision, the Opposition councillors started sloganeering and tried to blockade the Mayor. Amid protest, the Mayor adjourned the meeting. But, when she tried to leave the council hall, Opposition members blocked her.
Earlier, the Opposition had sought an independent probe by an outside agency on the lapses occurred in the service of RO-RO vessels. The LDF and BJP councillors demanded that Mayor should stay away from the post until the probe is over. They also demanded the Mayor tender an apology over the failure in operating the vessels.
The Opposition alleged that the Mayor misguided the Chief Minister and other officials on the safety documents of the vessels and put hundreds of lives at risk by permitting the service.
Denying the allegations, ruling bench including Mayor Soumini Jain, deputy Mayor T.J Vinod and Welfare Committee chairman A.B Sabu claimed that the inaugural service of the vessel has been conducted with all the mandatory documents including the Cochin Port Trust permission, IRS (Indian Register of Shipping) license, KIV (Kerala Inland Vessel rules) license and insurance certificate.
However, Education Standing Committee chairperson Poornima Narayan alleged that the claims of the ruling bench over the safety certification of the vessels are baseless and the KSINC operated the inaugural service in violation of rules, risking the life of a VIP like the chief minister.
KSINC seeks more time
The meeting convened by district collector Muhammad Y. Safirulla on Saturday to resolve the crisis over resuming service of RO-RO vessels failed to take a decision. KSINC has sought more time to resume service as training has to be provided to the crew including the boat master. Since uncertainty prevails over the availability of experienced and skilled crew, the date of resumption of service can’t be announced, said Mr. Safirulla.
