THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Many burning issues affecting people were put on hold, while the council, droned on and on about an increase of Rs 1 on a cup of coffee in the canteen patronized by councilors. Several issues listed in Tuesday’s agenda, including the bylaw on Art and Historic Gallery at Shangumughom, were postponed to the next meeting. The subsidised rates of tea, coffee and lunch for councillors and Corporation staff was proposed to be raised from Rs 5, Rs 6 and Rs 20 to Rs 9, Rs 7 and Rs 30 respectively. The UDF and BJP jointly opposed the move. BJP’s Nemom Gopan said that many councillors would not be able to afford the increase.
Many including deputy mayor Rakhi Ravikumar said that the quality of food served was substandard. She said that though this was pointed out to the management, little had improved. Mayor V.K. Prasanth said that the agenda would be tabled again after a discussion with the Indian Coffee House management. Town Planning Standing Committee Chairperson R Satheeshkumar told DC that if the bylaw connected with the Art and Historic Gallery had been passed on Tuesday, the formalities connected with opening it to the public could have been completed. The gallery is coming up at South Palace at Shangumughom, which for years has been shut.
“Renovation at a cost of '18 lakh needs to be completed at the palace. However because of the GST issue, no contractor has responded to the tender invitation,” he said. The Gallery is envisaged as a space where national and international artists can display their works. It also aims to help painters and sculptors in Kerala find an international market for their work. Satheeshkumar said that originally they were planning to open the gallery by November 1, but now hope that it would not go beyond New Year.
