Taliparamba: From greeting visitors with refreshments to streamlining official procedures, the Taliparamba Municipal Council has set the tone for a more people-friendly civic administration with a raft of reforms.

Announcing the initiatives, Municipal Chairperson P K Subair said a `welcome drinks' programme would be introduced at the municipal office. Under the scheme, members of the public visiting the office for official purposes will be greeted and offered a refreshing beverage. Separate staff will be assigned to receive visitors and they will be given special training to ensure courteous and efficient interaction.

Emphasising transparency and collective responsibility, Subair said every councillor holds office by the mandate of the people and functions as the head of their respective ward. He stressed that each councillor should work with a five-year master plan in their mind to ensure the development of their ward. Steps will also be taken to improve and popularise the canteen that functions as part of the municipal office.

The chairperson further proposed organising New Year celebrations at the municipal office and conducting seminars with the participation of experts to build consensus on new development projects. He also directed that all department heads must remain present in the office on council meeting days and that proceedings should commence strictly on time.

All councillors expressed unanimous support for the proposals put forth by the chairperson. Subair also instructed that details of council meetings and related matters should be communicated clearly and well in advance to all persons concerned.