Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu will inaugurate the golden jubilee celebrations of the Kochi Corporation on Wednesday at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium. The ceremony will be held at 9.30 a.m.
Governor P. Sathasivam and Minister for Local Administration K.T. Jaleel will be the guests of honour, Mayor Soumini Jain said.
Mr. Naidu will also release the theme song of Kochi, composed by musician Bijibal, on the occasion. K.V. Thomas, MP, and MLAs Hibi Eden, M. Swaraj, K.J. Maxy, and John Fernandez will be present.
The valedictory session will be held after obtaining the date of Chief Minster Pinarayi Vijayan who will miss the inaugural session due to Cabinet meeting. A development seminar will also be held, Ms. Jain said.
Standing committee chairpersons A.B. Sabu, P.M. Harris, Shiny Mathew, K.V.P. Krishnakumar, and Gracy Joseph and Corporation Secretary A.S. Anuja will also be present.
‘Wasteful expenditure’
Meanwhile, Opposition members alleged corruption and wasteful expenditure in the conduct of events. Councillors were not consulted, they said.
K.J. Antony, CPI(M) leader in the council, said large amounts of money were being wasted at a time when the civic body was in dire straits. “₹66 lakh was earmarked for the function including ₹20 lakh for the venue,” he said.
V.P. Chandran, also from the CPI(M), alleged that the Chief Minister and government representatives were not properly invited. The event was deliberately planned for Wednesday, the day the State Cabinet meets, he alleged.
Responding to the charges, Ms. Jain said an estimate of ₹66 lakh was cleared for the celebrations as it would not be possible to obtain clearance for small amounts frequently. “Money will be paid only against bills. All standing committees are coordinating in organising the events,” she added.
“The inaugural day was fixed after obtaining the date of the Vice President. The Chief Minister has written to the civic body expressing his happiness in being invited to the event, though he expressed his inability to attend due to preoccupation,” the Mayor said.
The venue was finalised and arrangements made as instructed by the Office of the Vice President and the Special Protection Group, she added.
