Thiruvananthapuram: At a meeting on Attukal Pongala presided over by Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, there was no official from the KSEB, Department of Electrical Inspectorate, Railways and Legal Metrology Department.
In the previous meetings as well, many officials from various departments were not present, making it difficult for councillors to discuss various issues which needed to be addressed before the festival.
In the last two meetings presided over by Mayor V K Prashanth, only an Assistant Engineer from KSEB had attended, according to Health Standing Committee Chairperson K Sreekumar.
“Someone at that level will have no idea about projects in the 30 wards identified for the festival venue. This time, I got to know that the KSEB Executive Engineer at Powerhouse junction has been invited. They should have come,” he said.
The minister eventually decided to hold separate meetings with the KSEB, Railways, Legal Metrology Department, and Electrical Inspectorate. Since the SSLC exam will be starting around the time of Pongala, which is on March 11, it was decided to curb the sound level of speakers.
The Commissionerate of Food Safety has been asked to deploy at least
30 officials to conduct raids in shops and small-time food vendors on the road.
The raids will ensure that the Green Protocol is implemented. Jaggery sold during this time will be tested to see if there is Endosulfan residue. The raids will be thorough in the capital, however shops in Kollam and Alappuzha will also be checked.
