Kochi Corporation gets ISO certification

KOCHI: The City Corporation which is not known for its efficiency or management practices has got ISO certification for quality management. The civic body selected a consultancy firm, Vexil Business Process Services, to get the highest certification in quality management for a fee of more than Rs 4 lakhs. “Kochi Corporation is the first municipal Corporation in the state to get ISO certification. The certification has been given after the consultancy firm audited the measures taken to comply with quality management norms,” said A.S Anuja, Corporation additional secretary.

The councillors will be given a detailed session on ISO certification, its significance and advantages, added the additional secretary. Meanwhile, there is strong criticism from various sections for spending a huge amount to get the certification at a time when the UDF-led civic administration is facing a series of allegations against its poor performance in office in the last one year.

“There are corruption allegations with regard to the selection of the ISO consultancy and the refurbishing works done to get the certification. While there has not been any improvement in the service delivery or day to day functioning of the local body, spending money for ISO certification is a sheer waste of money,” said a civic official who did not want to be identified.

The council members are also unhappy over the “unilateral” decision taken to go for ISO certification. “While the roads are in a bad condition, waste management is improper and the Corporation’s other offices are in bad shape, what is the use of getting an ISO certification? Instead of spending on cosmetic changes, the funds should have been used to repair zonal offices which are in a bad shape,” said V.P Chandran, CPM councillor.