KOCHI: The Kochi Corporation Council on Monday decided to conduct an inquiry into the purchase of dumper placers that were found unsuitable for removal of garbage. The council also decided to take action against the erring officials after the inquiry.

Several councillors complained that the two dumper placers purchased by the Corporation some time ago were found unsuitable for lifting the waste bins that were used in the city. The removal of garbage from areas like Fort Kochi and Mattancherry was affected as the two dumper placers of the Corporation had developed some technical snag.

Taking part in the discussion, C.K. Manisankar, Deputy Mayor, said the issue of unsuitable dumper placers was pointed out in the Health Committee meeting that had taken the decision to purchase dumper placers, as the Corporation had earlier faced a similar situation.

However, care was not taken to ensure that the dumper placers capable of lifting the bins were purchased for the Corporation, he said.

Mr. Manisankar and K.J. Maxy, Health standing committee chairman, demanded that the officials involved should be suspended from service after the inquiry.

The explanation of the Corporation officials, including Corporation Secretary, Project Engineer and the Health Officer, that the issue would be solved while purchasing the next batch of dumper placers failed to pacify the councillors.

Replying to the discussion, Mercy Williams, Kochi Mayor, said a detailed inquiry would be conducted into the issue and action would be taken based on the report.

The Council also decided to implead in the case pertaining to the storage tanks at Vathuruthy. It criticised the Corporation Secretary for failing to take action against the tanks that were reportedly set up without the permission of the Kochi Corporation.

The Council also passed a resolution urging the Union Government to withdraw the petrol price hike and the State Government to forfeit the additional revenue from the petrol price hike to reduce the burden on the common man.

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