Thiruvananthapuram: A resolution concerning high mast lights moved by BJP’s V G Girikumar was the start of the day’s problems. It proposed that the Mayor should withdraw a letter he sent to MLAs and MPs, requesting them not to use their MP and MLA local area development funds for setting up high mast lamps. Girikumar, in his resolution, alleged that it was without the council’s nod, that the letter was sent out. However the council meeting before the previous one had discussed it in detail and the decision to send out the letter was passed by the council.
The Mayor, in his reply, said that it was a decision that was already made, and it could not be revoked, as there was no law that would support it. Both BJP and UDF councillors said that high mast lamps were still needed at many main roads which were prone to accidents. Weighing in comments from various councillors, including LDF’s Vettucaud Solomon and Palayam Rajan, the Mayor said that the council would approve high mast lamps which were at the main junction.
However the BJP was not satisfied with the decision. The Mayor said that the Corporation had to pay a huge sum as electricity charges to the KSEB. Moreover the maintenance charge for each high mast lamp, once its guarantee period of three or four years gets over, is almost half its installation charges. The Mayor cited the example of a high mast metal halide lamp at Karamana which was about to be converted to LED high mast lamps. He said that many a time high mast lamps, meant to illuminate a large area, were placed at junctions where those were not needed. Though the Mayor said that high mast lamps would be approved where most needed, BJP councillors started protesting.
Mayor V K Prasanth in Critical Care unit
Mayor V.K. Prasanth, who according to a press release issued by Government Medical College Hospital was seriously injured, was moved to critical care unit. He has injuries on his head as well as various parts of his body. The release says that he was given a neck brace and his leg was plastered, as his joints were injured. He will have to undergo more tests and will continue to be in critical care unit, according to the release.
Medical College Superintendent Dr M.S. Sharmad has shared that the Mayor is healthy and there is no reason to worry. Mayor’s Daffedar B Mohan was also seriously injured in the commotion. He as well as LDF councillors Rasiyabeegum and Sindhu are at the hospital. BJP councillors V.G. Girikumar, Beena R.C. and Lekshmi M have also been admitted to the hospital.
GST too played a part
Before the high mast lamp row, BJP councillors had started a discussion on how GST was being politicised - an issue that was not part of the agenda. When asked if this could have been an early sign for provocation, LDF’s K Sreekumar said that it was likely. Right after the works standing committee had presented its agenda, BJP’s S Harisankar started speaking about the contractors’ stand-off during GST. He said that instead of blaming the central government for introducing GST and politicising it, the council should try and resolve the issue. BJP’s V.G. Girikumar said that the Corporation should take steps to start the work by using its own funds to meet the compensation demanded by contractors, and then start the implementation of the project and later include it as a revision project.
BJP councillors were of the opinion that there should be a special council meeting only to discuss the GST issue. The state government had recently issued an order in which it announced GST compensation for different works. Though many contractors implementing projects for PWD called off their strike, LSGD contractors have been refusing to do it. In effect, works in the Corporation are stalled. While it is a very important topic of discussion, Harisankar jumped to the politicisation of the GST issue, rather than its possible solutions.
Palayam Rajan said that it was the arrogance of the LSGD contractors that they were continuing their strike. The discussion did not blow up, beyond a point, as Mayor V.K. Prasanth intervened. He said that the idea of conducting a special council meeting could be considered. He added that the Corporation had written to the state government to resolve the issue.
