Even though the city corporation has "come clean" on the controversial appointment of 28-year-old R.Suganya, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Coimbatore Smart Cities Limited (CSCL) by issuing a long and explanatory statement issued in the form of an unsigned press release, the moot questions with regard to the controversial appointment of a “green horn” to a top administrative post still remains very much relevant and unanswered.
Even though the City Corporation's press release has officially brushed aside the allegations and noted in unambiguous terms the controversy surrounding the recent appointment of the CEO as CSCL is baseless and motivated, but the common man in the street is not easily convinced by the long-winding and lengthy explanation as a face saving measure. Public have also raised sensible questions like why public announcement for such a pertinent post of CEO was not released in all leading publications? And, is it wise on the part of the CSCL to shrink the experience of the candidature from 15 years to just mere 3 years stating poor response as a reason?
While claiming that due application process was followed in every stage of the appointment as per the GO and advertisements placed in newspapers including Dinamani , Trinity Mirror and Deccan Chronicle the statement says that the interview was conducted on August 1, following which Sukanya was rendered with the appointment order on August 11th
The statement also states that Sukanya was selected after interviewing 20 candidates and that "It was thought she being young and with the right qualifications could bring in new ideas to the implementation process” which is indeed quite shocking! Considering that it is good amount of experience which should be counted as plus for a top position in a project implementing agency.
Even as public ire and the political activism has turned against the civic body for appointing a person with near nil experience in public governance. Political parties of all hues including DMK, PMK and BJP have joined in the chorus to nullify the controversial appointment with immediate effect.
Considering all this, the civic body is now in an unenviable situation; but it has few options too, to set right the blunder it had committed. Either the board meeting of CSCL be convened and a resolution passed not ratifying the appointment or Managing Director of CSCL, Dr. K. Vijayakarthikeyan act on his own accord to revoke the appointment.
As the public mood has turned against the civic body for allegedly acting at the behest of Minister SP Velumani and the resignation of CCMC Commissioner K. Vijayakarthikeyan demanded by BJP, the party which rules at the center and whose brain child was the smart city project. It would be pertinent on the part of the civic body to act fast and revoke the controversial appointment before, their image takes a strong beating.
Will the City Corporation do it as a face-saving measure? or will the mounting pressure force the CEO put her papers down..? is the million dollar question asked by just not a handful of citizens but every other individual who cares for his City's development.