The appointment of R.Sukanya, as Chief Executive Officer of Smart City Project being implemented by City Corporation has raised many eyebrows and drawn criticism from many quarters.
A relatively inexperienced person, with little experience in public governance Sukanya has been handpicked for the crucial post and was appointed as CEO on August 11 and it came like a bolt from the blue.
The appointee is being selected to the plush post with a fat pay cheque of Rs.1 lakh per month, as she is the daughter of K.P. Raju, a former AIADMK MLA and her appointment is seen purely a political appointment by public watchers.
Even as BJP State Vice President Vanathi Srinivasan has in her statement said “that it is unfortunate that Coimbatore City Corporation has gone in for a political appointment”. This statement of hers speaks volumes about favoritism and nepotism in the appointment made for a crucial posting.
Sukanya, the incumbent has completed her MBA only in 2012 and had a stint as the Human Resources Manager in a private industry and later in a Private Hospital.
Thrust into urban Governance and a responsible post she is faced with the mammoth task of implementing the multi core Smart cities project, as CEO of the Project and her lack of experience might come in to play in decision making and in the project implementation say political watchers.
The eligibility norms which were first cited as 15 years of experience with 5 years in urban sector were later diluted to accommodate her into the post allege the critics of the appointment.
However the CCMC Commissioner Dr.K. Vijayakarthikeyan brushed aside the allegations saying that the process of CEO recruitment has been unbiased and has been carried out 100% as per government norms. "The whole process was completely transparent from the beginning. Well ahead, an open invitation with clear-cut eligibility criteria (revised) was announced to the public calling interested eligible candidates to apply for the post. Unfortunately, we received only 21 applications, out of which, only Sukanya's resume for fitting the criteria elements. Hence, she has been orderly selected and appointed to the post of CEO"