KOCHI: District collector MG Rajamanickam on Wednesday directed the Kochi Corporation secretary to re-instate the breast feeding centre inside the Kochi Corporation office which was lying idle for around an year.
The directive to re-instate the feeding station, named as ‘baby feeding kiosk’, was made after the district collector who is now holding the charge of Kochi mayor conducted a surprise visit to the Corporation office along with Corporation secretary VR Raju and Assistant secretary Anooja.
During his visit, the Collector learnt that the feeding station was not being used even after its inauguration and was utilised as a dumping place for unwanted files and dilapidated computers.
Based on this, the collector directed the secretary to immediately install name boards in front of the room and to reinstate the stall with immediate effect. As this room is adjacent to the birth and death registration centre, more mothers will benefit from this. “ Orders have been passed to remove all unwanted items dumped in the hall and to put a board depicting the true purpose of the room. The space will be available for breastfeeding mothers within two days,” said Rajamanickam
According to officials, though the project was launched nearly an year ago under JNNURM scheme after spending `1 lakh, it has not benefited the public. “ We had informed the pathetic state of the centre to the former Mayor and Deputy mayor but they had not taken any action,” said Mumtaz teacher
Meanwhile, the district collector also directed the secretary to arrange a dining hall facility for the corporation staff by converting the unutilised space inside the hall. The collector who spend nearly two hours inside the corporation hall interacted with most of the department staff.
He also sought the help of the contractors association for constructing a public toilet near the office as the corporation lacks ample number of toilets.