KANNUR: Kannur District Collector P. Bala Kiran, who leaves after two and half years on August 15 to take over the IT Mission, has become one of the most popular as well as acclaimed collectors Kannur has ever had. A number of unique projects he implemented in the district have been adopted by other districts as well as by the state and in recognition of his efforts, the state government had chosen him as the Best Collector this year.
Though known for political violence, Kannur had peaceful elections in recent years under him which was even praised by the Election Commission. Speaking to DC, Mr Bala Kiran, who hails from Hyderabad, said that he was very happy to be part of Kannur for the last two and half years. “For any IAS aspirant, the aim is to become a Collector. That is the post where we can directly interact with people, understand their issues and find solutions for it. I am happy that I could finish almost all my target projects within my tenure,” he said.
Some of the major projects Mr Bala Kiran initiated in Kannur were ‘Mission Mangrove’ project for mangrove conservation and Barrier Free Kannur, first of its kind in the state where barrier-free amenities were available for differently abled persons in public institutions and Unique Bus Numbering System where all the buses in the district have a unique number based on the destination.
He also used the scope of technology well by launching the new concept of m-governance by launching a number of mobile applications for easy access to government services and facilities. Amritha Kalasam’, which aims at desilting and deepening ponds to tackle drought was another scheme. “If I could have got a few more months, I could have finished the NH acquisition process too,” added the Collector.
