Ground rent: CM clears the air, Thrissur Pooram to be celebrated with full fervour

Thrissur: A meeting chaired by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has turned successful in resolving the dispute surrounding the rent for the Thrissur Pooram exhibition ground. The breakthrough comes as Cochin Devaswom Board is said to have stepped back from its demand of hiking ground rent for the festival to Rs 2.20 crore. 

It may be noted that the issue flared up as Devaswom decided to hike ground rent from last year's Rs 42 lakh. The decision irked the main participants Paramekkavu and Thiruvambadi Devaswoms. The camps maintained that they would limit the festival to a mere ritual if the Cochin Devaswom Board is so particular about the rent hike. Last week, the meeting convened by Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan over the matter, which was also attended by minister K Rajan, failed to yield results.  Radhakrishnan then maintained that the government will take a decision by January 4. The new development comes at this juncture. 

During the meeting, CM held the view that the rent should not be hiked this year and further talks can be held after the festival. As the matter is under the consideration of the court, the government may soon intimate its position to the former. The court is slated to take up the matter again on  January 4. 

Last year's ground rent was Rs 42 lakh and the decision is to maintain the status quo this year too. The meeting was attended by ministers Radhakrishnan, K. Rajan, and R. Bindu.