Private company fields candidates in civic polls

A private company in Kerala has fielded candidates for the coming civic polls in Kizhakkamblam Panchayat near here under the banner of its corporate social responsibility initiative.
The candidates have been fielded under the ambitious 'Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam', founded in April 2013 by Anna-Kitex group of companies as a CSR-based mission with the aim of transforming the village as the best Panchayat in the country by 2020.
It has thrown a challenge to mainstream political formations, including Congress-led UDF and CPI(M)-led LDF, in the elections to be held next month at the panchayat where the company is located.
Interestingly, 'Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam' has said voters will have the "right to recall" their representatives selected from its platform if they are not satisfied with their performance.

Sabu M Jacob, Chief co-ordinator of the 'Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam' said the voters do not have to wait for five years to remove its member from office.
"Voters of in their respective wards can recall its members selected from the 'Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam' platform. Two-third of the voters in their respective wards will have to sign a paper for the purpose. We have fielded only those who have agreed to this decision," he said.

The office-bearers of the intiative said the prime motto of Twenty20 is the development of Kizhakkambalam as a whole and to be promoted as the best panchayat in India.

The areas of focus includes housing projects, drinking water projects, health, agriculture, education, employment opportunities, green initiative, anti-corruption, Infrastructure etc, they said.
"The ultimate aim of this mission is to raise Kizhakkambalam as the best panchayat by year 2020, to erase all ailments, provide shelter to the destitute and many more," says the initiative in its Facebook page.
The Kitex Group said reaching out to underserved communities was part of its "heritage".
"Our vision is to effectively contribute to the social and economic development of the communities in which we operate. In doing so we intend to build a better, sustainable way of life for the weaker sections of society and raise the country's human development index," a company official said.

"Our vision converges on Corporate Social Responsibility for Kizhakkambalam where we dream to make this Panchayat the best in the country," he said.