Date:16/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/16/stories/2008111652780300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Ombudsman threatens to take action against corporation

Staff Reporter

Further hearing on the waste disposal case on December 11

KOCHI: In a severe indictment on the continuing failure of Kochi Corporation in waste management, Ombudsman for Local Self-government institutions M.R. Hariharan Nair said that action, including a report to the Election Commission, will have to be taken against the elected representatives of the municipal body for not performing the basic functions.

Suo motu case

The case has been posted for further hearing on December 11.Passing an order on a suo motu case on the garbage issue at a sitting here on Friday, Mr. Nair said that the failure to discharge the basic function was tantamount to maladministration.

“If there is a continued failure in this matter, action will have to be taken against all concerned for maladministration, leading to necessary report to the Election Commission,” he said. Mr. Nair reminded the elected representatives of the Kochi Corporation that disposal of waste was an elementary duty of a local body and, therefore, should receive adequate attention.

The Ombudsman took strong exception to the absence of S. Kesavan Nair, project manager of the HYQUIP Technologies, during his visit to the plant of Friday morning, and also at the sitting held the previous day.

The company had implemented the solid waste management plant at Brahmapuram. The project manager was reportedly away in Chennai. The Ombudsman regarded the absence of the project manager, who is the third respondent in the case, as “inexcusable.”

Summons issued

Mr. Nair issued summons directing the manager to appear personally at the next sitting and show cause for his “irresponsibility in the matter of running of the project and his attitude.”

Earlier in the day, the Ombudsman visited the Brahmapuram plant.

District Collector, corporation secretary, chairman of the standing committee, chief environmental engineer, the local ward member, chief engineer of the corporation, officers of the FACT Engineering and Design Organisation and other officials of the corporation were present.