The Kozhikode Corporation convened a special council meeting on Saturday (May 16) to discuss the 2024-25 audit report.

BJP councillors staged a protest, holding placards alleging that the audit report had exposed widespread corruption in the Corporation. UDF councillor K.C. Shobhita said it was welcome that the audit report was being discussed in the council itself.

The report stated that the project for installing waste bins, with an estimated outlay of ₹1.5 crore, resulted in excess expenditure because the tender condition requiring the supplier to install the bins was not implemented. Questions were also raised about the operation of a petrol pump in Elathur that was allegedly functioning in violation of rules.

Corporation Secretary N.K. Hareesh said the petrol pump had been set up under the MSME category, and that action would be taken in consultation with the District Industries Centre if it was found to be violating rules.

The audit report also criticised the purchase of furniture for the renovation of health centres without following government orders. Mayor O. Sadasivan said deliberate mistakes would be viewed seriously and that effective intervention and action would follow.