A case of misunderstanding, says Mayor

‘Probe into signage deal not targeted at authorities but some errant officials’

Mayor Soumini Jain has termed criticism by town planning standing committee chairperson Shiny Mathew and works standing committeee chairman P.M. Harris of her decision to go in for vigilance probe into the signage deal as one stemmed out of “misunderstanding.”

While Ms. Mathew lashed out at the decision at the council meeting, Mr. Harris complained of non-availability of files, much to the chagrin of the UDF camp.

“The decision on the probe was not targeted at any civic authorities, as alleged by some councillors, but aimed at some errant officials. It was after obtaining legal opinion and holding discussions with senior functionaries of the Local Self Government Department the decision was taken,” said Ms. Jain, who was denied opportunity in the council to reply to the charges.

She also denied allegations that the Mayor was holding back files pertaining to the deal and permission granted to trench city roads. “No file is pending with the Mayor’s office. The files in question may be lying in some offices of the local body,” she said.

In the case of the signage deal, the agency selected for putting up boards had violated the contractual conditions, which was also reported by the Corporation Secretary, the Mayor added.

Though the town planning standing committee had forwarded its recommendations to the council on the deal, a senior official of the local body communicated the decision to the company before the council considered the recommendations, she said.