A meeting of the city council of the Kozhikode Corporation on Thursday decided to hike the daily rentals of halls and public grounds owned by the civic body from January 1.
The decision was taken by the CPI(M)-controlled council despite objections by the Opposition UDF and BJP members after putting the issue to voting. Earlier, the finance standing committee had recommended the hike in rentals in tune with the prevailing market rate.
The London-headquartered Knight Frank India had also in July recommended a hike with the objective of increasing corporation revenue. The daily rentals of public spaces were meagre as compared to the rates quoted by managements of private auditoriums and marriage halls in the city, it was pointed out.
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The recommendations were made as part of the implementation of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (Amrut), a Centrally-sponsored scheme, being implemented in the Kozhikode Corporation.
The hike in daily rentals was effected for Tagore Centenary Hall, Town Hall, Kandalamkulam Jubilee Hall, Karuvassery Community Hall, Muthalakulam Maidan, Mankavu Maidan, Thrivanoor ground, Chevaloor ground, Perunthuruthi ground, Mananchira Open Stage, Kuttichira Open Stage, Kannancherry Vikram Smaraka Stage, and Karuvassery Community Park.
However the rates will be different for private functions, weddings, cultural events, and meetings of political parties and organisations.
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