Religious events a costly affair now in Ahmedabad

The standing committee of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), in their meeting on Thursday, decided to charge rent and deposit for organising religious and spiritual events at Vastrapur and Bodakdev AUDA gardens in the city.

AMC, before this development, used to charge a fee for government events, receptions, weddings, entertainment programmes and performances among others. Religious events were not charged and were relieved from any kind of deposit as well.

This ruling comes soon after the standing committee, in one of its meetings, had decided to hike lease amounts for events at these two gardens by Rs10,000, resulting in objections from the opposition in AMC. After Thursday's meeting, it was decided to retain the prices and charge for religious functions.

Congress, however, is unhappy with this development. Speaking to DNA, leader of opposition Badruddin Shaikh said, "The ruling party always looks at and talks about religion. Such events should be kept free of cost."

The committee also decided to hike rates of Shahidveer Mangal Pandey Auditorium Hall, Nikol. According to the new rates, rent will be charged shift wise. Deposit and rent for first shift (8am to 1pm) has been fixed at Rs3,000 and increases to Rs4,000 for the second shift (2pm to 7pm). The third shift will cost an organiser Rs5,000 each for rent and deposit.

About this, Shaikh said: "Middle class people live in Nikol area of the city. AMC should consider affordability before hiking rates of the auditorium."