One month passes after Thrikkakkara Municipality spent over Rs 1 lakh for public viewing of PT Thomas, chairperson yet to present accounts

KOCHI: The Congress-ruled Thrikkakkara Municipality has spent Rs. 1,17,000 to buy flowers for the public viewing event of the deceased PT Thomas MLA. PT Thomas had demanded that no wreaths or flowers be used for his funeral. One month after the funeral, a blockade was staged by the opposition in front of the chairperson's office, alleging that the figures has not been presented to the standing committee.

A total of Rs 4,03,000 was spent for the public viewing of PT Thomas' body at the corporation. However, the opposition alleges that the money was spent without the permission of the council. The Opposition alleges that the chairperson, who did not present the accounts even after one month, withheld the file without submitting the accounts to the Financial Standing Committee.

But the ruling party says the decision to spend the money was made at an emergency council meeting attended by members of the opposition. The chairperson said the flowers were bought because the chief minister and others were present and that the Congress would repay the money spent by the corporation within two days as they are not interested in the controversy.