'Where is electricity?': Minister's riposte baffles officials

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The officials singing praises on the efficiency of the waste energy plant in Palakkad, which is ready for commission, went into a brief moment of silence when the minister asked back, ‘Where is the electricity?’ The incident took place at an official-level meeting of the local government department on Wednesday.

In the first meeting held after Minister K.M. Shaji took charge, the officials explained the past work of the department. The minister enquired about the total amount of electricity generated. The officials said that they were getting enough waste for that. In that case, the minister proposed that he would make initiative to bring waste from Malappuram. With this, the officials tried to escape, saying that the plant does not have that much capacity. The minister raised doubts in a meeting held at the Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. The minister also remarked on how the project failed in other states. While explaining the activities of the KIL (Kerala Institute of Local Administration), the officials mentioned that the training courses provided were successful. The minister's question about whether the courses are in line with the times baffled the officials.

Geromic George, the Principal Director of the Local Government Department, presented the activities and achievements of the previous government, including the Life Mission and extreme poverty. Geromic was transferred as part of the IAS reorganisation, but he arrived at the venue to apprise the minister. The minister, who had heard the explanation, did not respond much. Officials from various offices, such as the Principal Directorate of the Local Government Department, KILA, IKM, etc., participated.