Parties oppose revision of rent for Trichy Uzhavar Sandhai ground

Trichy: Trichy corporation's move to revise the rent for the Uzhavar Sandhai ground in Thennur by more than 100% has not gone well with political parties who have been planning to use the venue for public meetings ahead of the assembly election. While the move was touted to increase the civic body's revenue, small political parties and trade unions opposed it, stating that they could not afford the sharp rise in the rental for one of the major public meeting venues in the city.The ground has hosted several state-level political meetings. It is spread over 1.8 acres, with a capacity to accommodate around 5,000 people at a time, and was used to conduct public exhibitions too. Meanwhile, Trichy corporation revised the rent of the ground and stage from Rs 71,500 per day to Rs 1.55 lakh per day. Since police have placed restrictions to conduct public meetings at other prominent venues such as Puthur four roads and Anna statue, political parties said they rely on the Thennur ground to host conferences. "Marginal revision is fine, but the hike was exorbitant. Revenue can be generated through other means and by streamlining miscellaneous expenses. Trade unions will struggle to pay the rent," K Suresh, district general secretary of AITUC, said. The local body also scrapped the option to use the venue for three hours at a fee Rs 21,950. New restrictions were also introduced, including an option to penalise 50% of the day's rent for any delay by organisers in handing the property back to the local body. CPI and CPM urged the local body to reconsider the rent revision, as the precedent would make private venues to revise their fares too. A corporation official said, "The rent was revised after a gap of eight years. Representation, if any, submitted will be considered for discussion."