Indian Coffee House operating in the Corporation office premises became the unifying factor for councillors from different parties as they equivocally demanded to improve the quality of food served there
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Indian Coffee House operating in the Corporation office premises became the unifying factor for councillors from different parties as they equivocally demanded to improve the quality of food served there. Councillors raised the quality issue when the Finance Standing Committee asked council’s permission to extend the contract for two more years.
The committee itself found the quality of food served at the restaurant was not good. Chairperson of the committee and Deputy Mayor Rakhi Ravikumar said she has received multiple complaints against the Indian Coffee House.
“Councillors complained the food served at the Indian Coffee House is not digestible. In a jest, they say a meal at the eatery remains in the stomach till next day. We have spoken to the operators. But there has been no noticeable difference yet,” said Rakhi Ravikumar. Councillors’ complaints came within a fortnight after Food Safety officials suspended the operation of the Indian Coffee House at Spencer Junction following similar complaints from public.
The Indian Coffee House had approached the corporation seeking an increase the price of food delivered to the corporation. But councillors were not ready to accept it. BJP councillor Karamana Ajith said he opposed the price hike. Palayam Rajan of Congress (S) said Mayor should address the quality issue with the operator. According to CPM councillor R P Sivaji, the corporation should consider other operators if they are willing to provide quality food at the existing rate. Mayor V K Prasanth said he will take up the issue with the Indian Coffee House authorities. He kept the agenda for next council meeting.
Pension Delays
Kamaleswaram ward councillor V Giri wanted to know why there has been no official at the Fort Zonal office to collect pension applications from the public for the past 10 months. “There are applications pending since 2016. Those who apply for the old age pension are in dire need for money,” said Peter Solomon of Poonthura ward. Both councillors blamed the Health Standing committee chairperson K Sreekumar, who is in-charge of Fort Zonal office.
Njandoorkonam councillor Pradeep Kumar A said the applications submitted at the Sreekaryam Zonal office are not being processed on time. Chairperson of the Welfare standing committee Geetha Gopal said a meeting will be called on Wednesday to address the shortage of clerks in the zonal offices. She said the state government had been informed of the glitch in the website that has caused a delay in the entry of data of the beneficiaries.
Kudumbasree vs Council
A complaint by Thirumala councillor Manju P V about the non-cooperative attitude of the president of Area Development Society (ADS) of Kudumbasree in her ward, was perhaps the most discussed topic on Tuesday. The discussions often veered into claiming whose position is bigger, who can claim the credit for starting Kudumbasree.
The BJP councillors’stand was the position of the councillor as patron of ADS is greater than the president’s. This stand was refuted by Palayam Rajan and V R Sini. Councillors from BJP, Congress and CPM claimed credit for the foundation and growth of Kudumbasree, a successful women empowerment and poverty eradication program in the state.
The opposition councillors questioned the purchase of kitchen bins, functioning of CPM office at a corporation building and the decision to lock down the office of Scheduled Caste Cooperative society at Sreekaryam for non payment of rent.