Thiruvananthapuram: Amid the controversy over waste removal after Attukal Pongala festival, 10 health inspectors of city corporation have been transferred. The transfer orders, issued on Saturday, stated that the officials were reassigned for administrative convenience.The transfers came at a time when a political row erupted between the corporation, state govt and CPM over allegations that waste generated during the festival was not fully cleared even several days after the event.General education minister V Sivankutty and local CPM leaders alleged that corporation failed to remove the large volume of waste generated during the massive annual ritual, which attracted lakhs of women devotees to Attukal Bhagavathy Temple area. Sivankutty on Friday directed the revenue divisional officer to conduct an inspection and submit a report on the matter.Adding to the political pressure, CPM district leadership earlier indicated that party workers would directly step in to remove the accumulated waste if necessary. Acting district secretary A A Rahim said the party was prepared to intervene to ensure the area was cleaned.However, mayor V V Rajesh rejected allegations linking the transfers to waste management dispute. He said the reshuffle of officials, including health inspectors, was part of routine administrative arrangements and had no connection with the pongala-related controversy.The officials fully cooperated in the post-festival cleaning operations and the changes are part of routine administrative processes, he added.Earlier in the day, Sivankutty responded to Rajesh’s remarks on the issue, stating that state govt had authority over the corporation and would intervene in matters that required its attention. Rajesh had taken a jibe at the minister, saying he should focus on his own department.Days after the festival concluded, the dispute over waste removal intensified, triggering a sharp exchange of words between CPM and BJP in the city.
