Kakinada: All hopes pinned on new civic commisioner K Siva Parvathi

KAKINADA: K. Siva Parvathi who took over as the new commissioner of Kakinada Municipal Corporation (KMC) on Monday faces many challenges, a major one being responsible to implement the Smart City Project. Reports for these projects were prepared by her predecessor S. Aleem Basha. He could prepare the project reports and confirm tenders for several projects including global tenders under the Smart City Project during his tenure. Mr Basha finalised nearly Rs 300 crore worth of tenders with another Rs 200 crore being in the pipeline. According to sources, the former commissioner did not entertain any political interference including the works of general funds. He used to accept pleas, recommendations or suggestions from the people's representatives and follow them if they were seen beneficial for the public and fall under the purview of rules and regulations.

If the recommendations were against the rules, he would not entertain them. Sources said that many a times, there were differences between Mr Basha and Kakinada MLA Vanamadi Venkateswara Rao (Kondababu). At one time, it is learnt that Mr Kondababu made it clear to the Telugu Desam high command that he can't go for elections if things continue as they were citing Mr Basha's rule in KMC.

However, later, the TD won the KMC elections with a huge and unexpected majority in the civic polls defeating YSRC. Now, the council is in force and the council meetings may commence by the end of November or first week of December, according to sources. Under these circumstances, sources said that Mr Basha sought his transfer by showing family problems including children's education and got transferred.

It could not have been possible for him to work amidst pressures of the councilors or the people's representatives. Sources said that Mr Kondababuu followers also expressed their happiness over Mr Basha's transfer and they expected to get more works from the new Municipal Commissioner. Assuming the charge as KMC Commissioner, Ms Siva Parvati told reporters that she would make efforts for development of Kakinada with the Smart City Project and try to sort out civic problems as early as possible. She said that she would take up all the projects and works with the support of civic council and the people's representatives.