Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu to open Kochi corporation's golden jubilee celebrations
KOCHI: Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu will inaugurate the golden jubilee celebrations of the Kochi Corporation on Wednesday. The civic body was organising a three-day event in connection with the jubilee celebrations and major development projects for the city would be announced, said Mayor Soumini Jain. While addressing a press conference here on Monday, Ms. Jain said that the prestigious inaugural ceremony, to be held at Rajiv Gandhi indoor stadium, would be attended by nearly 4000 invitees.
“Arrangements are in place for the foolproof conduct of the event and last minute preparations are on with the support of other agencies like the Police. Though the event is being organised at very short notice, maximum efforts have been made to make it a grand success. Subcommittees have been formed under the leadership of standing committee chairmen to ensure proper coordination and smooth conduct. An apex committee chaired by the Mayor will monitor the subcommittees’ functioning,” she said. The civic body has also formed a 10-member special cell for organising the jubilee celebrations including the inaugural function, development seminar and concluding ceremony.
During the concluding function, major development projects for the city would be announced which will be implemented soon, the Mayor said. Responding to the Opposition’s allegations against wastefulness and autocratic conduct of the function, Ms. Jain said that it was not a waste of public money as the golden jubilee was an important milestone which should be celebrated. “A subcommittee has been formed under the leadership of the Opposition leader and its participation in planning the event has been ensured. Discussions will be held with them if the Opposition has complaints,” added the Mayor.
Opposition alleges corruption
Opposition members in the Corporation council have alleged corruption, wastefulness and vested political interests in organising the golden Jubilee celebration function of the civic body. While addressing a press conference at Ernakulam Press Club on Monday, Opposition leader in the council, K.J Antony alleged that when the Corporation was in a deep financial crisis, a huge amount was being spent on the function.
“More than Rs 66 lakh is being earmarked for the function including '20 lakh for the venue. Why is such a huge amount being spent on the venue – Rajiv Gandhi indoor stadium – which already has all the basic facilities. Open tenders were not floated and the work order was given to those who are close to the Mayor,” he said.
CPM parliamentary party leader in the council V.P Chandran said that even the Chief Minister was not invited for the event. “The event was deliberately scheduled for Wednesday, when the Cabinet meets. Mayor should have ensured the state’s participation in the jubilee celebrations. The golden jubilee celebrations without the participation of the state government and residents of the city is going to turn out to be just a waste of public money,” he said.
