Kerala - Kozhikode   

Ombudsman pulls up Corporation

KOZHIKODE: Expressing displeasure at the Kozhikode Corporation’s failure to comply with its order to chop off the branches of trees in the compound of the Government TTI at Nadakkavu which posed a threat to the safety of children, the Ombudsman for Local Self-Government Institutions on Friday warned that action would be taken against the authorities concerned if the order was not complied with without further delay.

Ombudsman M.R. Hariharan Nair remarked in his order that the authorities had acted in an irresponsible way by not carrying out his order to cut off the branches of the trees. The Ombudsman was informed by the junior health inspector of the Corporation on Friday that the branches could not be chopped off. No one was ready to do it since the labour charges involved were very high. Quotations for the work were invited by the Corporation in an advertisement published on June 30. But there was no response. The advertisement would be repeated on July 22.

Not satisfied with the explanation, the Ombudsman remarked that the Corporation secretary did not seem to have taken the matter seriously though it concerned the safety of schoolchildren.

The Ombudsman gave a stern warning that he would order stringent action since “the Corporation’s failure to act reflected gross inefficiency.” “This should not be delayed even one minute. The Corporation secretary should be informed about this straightaway,” the Ombudsman ordered.

Either the Corporation secretary or the additional secretary has to appear before the Ombudsman in person at its next sitting.

The Ombudsman issued the orders on a petition filed by Vinod Kumar Damodar, joint secretary, conservation of Nature Society.

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