My exit won't hit projects, says UV Jose

Kozhikode: The exit of Mr U.V. Jose as district collector has come at a time when he was busy implementing many dream projects that would have changed the face of the city, including Canoly canal renovation and the Green Ambassador project for schools to promote environmental awareness.

The decision to replace Mr Jose with Mr Seeram Sambasiva Rao, present IT Mission director, was taken by the state cabinet on Wednesday. Mr Jose will take over as land revenue joint commissioner. The new collector will assume charge on Thursday.

Though rumours of a 'shift' were in the air, the transfer of Mr Jose has come as a bolt from the blue for many who feared that his exit may hit the Canoly canal project as its many stretches remain under encroachment.

It is said that Mr Jose, who has completed two years in the post, was transferred as had taken strict action against the controversial water theme park of Mr A. Anwar MLA.

The eviction of encroachers on the banks of Kallayi river is yet to be completed. Though the land for eviction has been demarcated, the right leadership is essential for timely execution of the project, it is thought.

Mr Jose had handled the monsoon calamity and led the drive against Nipah virus. Mr Vadayakkandi Narayanan, district co-ordinator, SAVE (Students' Army for Vivid Environment), told DC that the organization was planning many projects with the support of the district administration to save the greenery of the city and also educate the students about the importance of environment. "The collector was quick to plan things and execute them efficiently, like the SM street renovation," he said.

The people of the flood-hit district had sent truckloads of relief materials to the affected regions. However, Mr Jose told DC that all the projects will be implemented in time.