Fund misuse row in Kerala; mayor flags ₹6,000 lamp rental
The mayor of a Kerala Municipal Corporation has raised concerns about financial management and past procurement practices, pointing to the high cost of renting a Nilavilakku (metal oil lamp) for official events. According to the mayor, the lamp was previously rented at ₹6,000 per program, which could amount to ₹18,000 per day for multiple events an expense the mayor described as excessive.
The mayor underlined that the lamp could be purchased outright at a comparatively lower one-time cost. The current administration, however, claims to have reduced expenses by securing the same item at a much lower rental rate of ₹500 per day from a different vendor, with plans to further reduce costs through an annual contract. The mayor emphasized a commitment to improving transparency and ensuring more efficient use of public funds.
