{ முகநூல் கருத்துக்கள்}{ட்விட்டர் கருத்துக்கள்}

The current administration of Kayalpatnam Municipality completed one year in office this October. Members to 18 wards that comprise the Municipality were elected in a hotly contested poll last year. Even more fierce were the selections of Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Intrigues surrounding the elections were distasteful. One year since, what is their report card?

One of the visible attempts made by the Chairman early in the year was to improve the funds of the Municipality. The tender to manage slaughtering of animals in Kayalpatnam was opened. This was not to the liking of some - who had the backing of many members of the Municipality. The tender was competitive anyway and the amount realised through the process was much higher than in the past years. The credit for this must go to the Chairman.

The plan for underground drainage system - backed by the Chairman - met with lot of resistance from the public. It seems now dropped - for the time being atleast. It was a glaring example of how important decisions regarding the town are being taken - without any proper consultation involving the people of the town. A resolution to upgrade the Municipality from Third Grade to Second Grade was also voted negative by the Municipality.

Relationships between the Chairman and many members were tense through much of the year. The threat of no-confidence-vote was always in the air - vacancy of two Ward seats (one due to death, another due to resignation) putting on hold the showdown for a while. At one stage, many members petitioned the Collector of Tuticorin district to take action against the Chairman (who was away overseas for personal reasons). Nothing came of it eventually.

In September, the two vacancies to the Municipality were filled through a bye-election. It is not clear whether politics would resume once again or some kind of truce has been reached by the combatants.

For the public though, Water still remains a major probem. The announcement of provision of pipelines was welcomed by many - especially those waiting for new connections. For existing users though, Water is still being rationed. No concrete plan for a long term solution is in sight yet.

Corruption in Municipality is still an issue - despite the Chairman's early promise to weed it out.

In summary, nothing spectacular has changed for the public in the last one year. Perhaps too short a time for any strong opinion to be formed. Indications - however - are not positive.