Corp Council: BJP demands discussion on Covid spend

Thiruvananthapuram: The city corporation council that met here on Saturday sought approval for the anticipatory sanction issued for various expenses related to Covid management in the city in the past three months. Anticipatory sanctions issued for running of community kitchens, arranging quarantine facilities, purchase and distribution of masks and hand sanitizers were presented in the council.
Health standing committee chairman IP Binu said anticipatory sanction for expenses under different heads amounting to Rs 4.5 crore was issued by mayor on various occasions to health officials in various circles and wards.
BJP councillors demanded an elaborate discussion on the matter and said the accounts on contributions received by city corporation from individuals and private organisations should also be presented in the council and that the existing accounts were not transparent.
They also demanded a special council to approve the expenses incurred by city corporation so far in Covid management in the city. BJP councillors also pointed out that the recent policy of the state government to send all incoming passengers to home quarantine negates the efforts undertaken by city corporation to ensure institutional quarantine in the city.
BJP councillor Girikumar said there was no point spending money when people were being sent to homes for quarantine.
BJP councillors said detailed income statement should be presented in the council. UDF councillor Beemapally Rasheed, however, supported LDF ruling council and said the efforts undertaken by city corporation for Covid management are appreciable and that it cannot be put in bad light on allegations of corruption or lack of transparency.
The city corporation has recently submitted bills to the tune of Rs 1.6 crore to district disaster management authority. A major percentage of amount has been spent in running community kitchens.
Disinfection measures, rehabilitation of destitutes, setting up and maintenance of Covid care centres, identification of first line treatment centres are the other components, which made corporation shell out substantial sum.
While the number of inmates in Covid care homes numbering over 30 came down by half following the directive of the district collector that inmates can opt for home quarantine based on proper investigation of requisite facilities by local bodies, the civic body continues to receive inmates who do not have facilities at home.