‘Talk with Mayor’, a civic outreach programme of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) council in Kochi Corporation in Kerala, designed to provide a platform for citizens to raise civic issues and lodge complaints is likely to be held as a single session rather than twin sessions chaired separately by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor at different locations on the same day.
The change has been suggested for logistical reasons. Originally, the plan was for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to hold simultaneous sessions in the city and West Kochi on alternate months. However, this is now likely to be merged into a single session attended by both.
Mayor unveils 50-day action plan for Kochi
“Officials believe it is more efficient, and ensures better results, to hold one session with all officials concerned present at a single venue. For instance, certain files require the signature of the Corporation Secretary alone, and he cannot be expected to be at two places at once. The same applies to the Corporation’s sole Superintendent Engineer. Anyway, we will gauge the response at the maiden session before finalising the format,” said Mayor Minimol.
There is likely to be a break in the programme after the inaugural session, as the Assembly election is expected to be notified soon, bringing the Model Code of Conduct into effect and prohibiting such interactive complaint-redressal sessions. The plan is to hold the ‘Talk with Mayor’ session on the 15th of every month, or on the next working day if the date falls on a holiday.
