Kozhikode Corporation considering by-law for residents’ associations

Heated discussions over contract given to renovate subway at Palayam

The Kozhikode Corporation has decided to either frame a by-law for residents’ associations or to suggest it to the State Government.

A meeting of the Corporation Council on Tuesday noted that there were no concrete laws that governed residents’ associations, which were an important link between common people and their representatives. The decision was made following a complaint raised by Palayam councillor P. Usha Devi, stating that a group of residents’ associations in her ward had formed a coordination committee and that only the leaders of the committee turned up for any meeting, making it difficult for the councillor to reach out to her voters personally. She also questioned the Corporation’s decision to renew the licence of the coordination committee despite her objections.

The complaint led to discussions among councillors of all parties, but the council came to an understanding that the licences of residents’ associations could not depend on the consent of councillors. However, the council stressed the need for a common policy for residents’ associations.