Kozhikode: The cultural activists in the district have decided to go on an indefinite strike in protest against the City Corporation’s decision to increase the rent of all the halls and auditoriums and also the open spaces coming under it, to more than double the existing price. The price hike would come into practice from January 1 onwards, according to the corporation authorities.
As a proclamation to the upcoming indefinite strike, the cultural leaders and activists and also noted personalities from Malayalam literature conducted a symbolic protest in the city by singing protest songs and playing musical instruments. Noted writer P.K Parakkadavu, talking to DC said that, this is the most heinous decision the authorities could ever take by doubling or tripling the existing price for these public spaces.
Kozhikode Townhall or the Muthalakulam ground was among the few spaces in the city which were affordable for the common mass. This decision is thereby curtailing many people from coming out to the public and express their ideas and thoughts, he further added. The Corporation through this attempt is withdrawing its moral responsibility to support the artists here.
Kozhikode Tagore centenary hall, Town Hall, Kadamkulam Jubilee hall, Karuvassery community hall, Muthalakulam grou-nd, Mankavu ground, Thir-uvannur ground, Chelavur ground, Perunthuruthi ground, Mananchira open stage, Kuttichira open stage, Kannancheri Vikram Samskarika stage, Karuva-ssery community park are among the halls and spaces lent out by Corporation.
At present the one day rent for Town Hall including the GST charges is '1,416, which will now witness a steep increase to '4,130. '1000 of the '4130 is the deposit amount while '3000 is the hiked price. The charge for one day at Tagore Centenary Hall was '39,500 which has been increased to '94,400. The charges for Kadankulam Jubilee hall has also been hiked from '1000 to '10, 384. Similarly the other halls and spaces have also witnessed a steep increase.
