Corruption alleged in Kudumbasree projects

Opposition councillors find fault with e-shop, kiosk

The Opposition parties in the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation Council have alleged large-scale corruption in the setting up of e-shop and kiosk, two projects of Kudumbasree at the Corporation Office.

Leader of the Opposition M.T. Padma along with councillors K. Mohemmadali, P. Kishenchand, N.C. Moyinkutty, and P. Usha Devi told reporters here on Saturday that proper procedures were not followed for the setting up of both the projects.

‘Council bypassed’

“None of us are against the projects, which are aimed at emancipation of financially backward women. However, the way the Corporation council has been bypassed for their implementation raises suspicion,” said K. Mohammedali of IUML.

N.C. Moyinkutty of the Socialist Janata (Democratic) pointed out that the e-shops, which were modernised bunks put up with the help of an agency named Eram Scientific Solution, cost the women Rs.3,64,914, which they had procured as bank loans.

Loan repayment

“Any one could see that these bunks do not cost more than Rs.50,000. If they cannot pay back the loan in time, they are going to be in real trouble,” he said.

The five e-shops were set up in different parts of the city recently to sell Kudumbasree products, but the major products sold there at present included those of multinational giants such as Britannia.

A coffee machine of Café Coffee Day had been installed in the bunks.

The company charged extra for the coffee beans, sugar, cups, and stirrers. The bunks did not sell ordinary products.

The products were supplied from the Kudumbasree office. The members were not allowed to purchase them, Mr. Moinkutty added.

Vigilance probe

The plots where the bunks were located were not leased to the bunk owners.

So, they might lose control over the bunks to others in future, the Opposition councillors said. Large-scale corruption involving many councillors in the ruling party could be unearthed if a Vigilance probe was launched into the issue, they said.

The Kiosk set up in the Corporation office, without council approval, as well as the Dress Bank and Food on Wheels project of Kudumbasree should also be included in the probe, Mr. Kishenchand demanded.

The Opposition councillors are planning a dharna at the Corporation office on July 16 raising these demands.