more-in The issue of faulty street lights kicked up a heated debate at the council meeting of the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation on Friday. Councillor S.V.S.M. Shameel introduced the topic in the form of a calling attention motion, pointing out that several street lights in his ward were non-functional, and that they had stopped working much before guarantee period of 40,000 to 90,000 hours. IUML councillor K.T. Beeran Koya backed him, saying that the issue was pertinent in several wards, while Congress councillor K.C. Shobhita complained that the starters and chalks of tube lights were sub-standard. Public works standing committee chairperson T.V. Lalithaprabha, however, termed the allegations “far-fetched” and said that the corporation had an annual maintenance contract for street lights, and it had paid whatever amount was due to the Kerala State Electricity Board for the purpose. She said the equipment was purchased from reputed companies and was tested by engineers at the National Institute of Technology, Kozhikode. CPI(M) councillor C.K. Zeenath complained about the accumulation of non-biodegradable waste on the Kozhikode Beach owing to the use of disposable plates and cups at petty shops. She said the disposed items were causing pollution and health hazards. They are often used for land filling and are sometimes dumped in waterbodies, polluting them. She demanded that the civic body take steps to control the use of disposable materials. Health officer R.S. Gopakumar said the corporation could only confiscate such items from shops as the law did not support any further action. Health standing committee chairman K.V. Baburaj said the corporation could take action against those who sold disposable plates only if either the State or the Centre banned them. Until then, the corporation can only create awareness against its use, he added. The issue of formalin-laced fish was raised by CPI(M) councillor Mullaveettil Moideen who demanded that the civic body take steps to create awareness that the fish sold in markets in Kozhikode was formalin-laced. Councillors of the ruling front as well as the Opposition, including Mayor Thottathil Raveendran, rejected the motion on the grounds that the corporation could not take risk as it was a matter of public health. Meanwhile, the health officer said no toxic substances were detected in fish during inspections in the city.

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