Taking cudgel against the controversial appointment of R.Suganya, as Chief Executive Officer of Smart City Project, Ashok Srinidhi, a Social activist and Coordinator of IT wing of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has started an online public interest petition in change.org, an online platform to garner support for social causes.
Interestingly,the online petition started by 28-year old Ashok Srinithi and titled “Change Coimbatore CEO” has garnered over 3,500 signatures with in a single day of being filed, which is quite an impressive response from the citizens.
Indeed, the controversial appointment of Suganya for the plush post with a fat pay cheque of Rs.2 lakh per month ( plus perks) has snowballed into a raging controversy with the political parties including DMK, PMK and BJP branding it as a political appointment and condemning it from the day one.
Suganya took charge as CEO of Smart city Project, Coimbatore on August 11 and since then her appointment has become a topic of public debate.
Alleging that the incumbent was favored over other 17 candidates as the person happens to be the daughter of K.P. Raju, a Former AIADMK MLA, the petitioner Ashok Srinithi says “A life time chance of bringing in positive change to Coimbatore would be rendered waste by this political appointment. This might only lead to corruption in the implementation process", he says.
Ashok Srinithi, told SimpliCity “I have filed a RTI application with 25 relevant queries to know the exact circumstances in which an inexperienced person was selected for the post. The RTI would bring to light any political interference with regard to appointment of a novice as CEO. Based on the RTI report, Pattali Makkal Katchi would file a PIL in the court, as well”.
When SimpliCity contacted N.Karthik, MLA of Singanallur Constituency and Former Deputy Mayor of City Corporation who cried foul on the controversial appointment said “The eligibility criteria for the appointment of Chief Executive officer for Smart City Project has been blatantly violated at every level, and here we have a novice as CEO".
Alleging that it is a handiwork of S.P.Velumani, Minister of Municipal Administration, the Singanallur legislator alleged that "Every thing has been orchestrated from behind and vital decisions are being made only at the behest of the Minister".
“I am afraid that it would lead to only rampant corruption in the smart city project in the second largest city in the state, with over 20 lakh population", MLA Karthik said.
“I would consult with our leader M.K.Stalin, DMK Working President before proceeding legally against this political appointment which might spell doom for the effective implementation of smart city project in the city”, the Singanallur legislator said.
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