Fri Oct 24 14:22:31 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text followed by a rewritten news article:

Summary:

The Kochi Corporation’s finance committee is facing controversy regarding rent waivers for Kudumbashree’s Janakeeya Hotel in Ponnurunni. The Opposition UDF argues that the hotel should receive the same exemptions as the Corporation’s Samridhi@Kochi hotel, which has rent, water, and electricity charges borne by the Corporation. Despite evidence and confirmation that the Kudumbashree hotel is indeed a Janakeeya Hotel, the Corporation has issued a notice for outstanding rent of ₹1.38 lakh, threatening closure. The Mayor has indicated the matter will be considered if brought before the council.

News Article:

Kochi Corporation Faces Scrutiny Over Rent Demands for Kudumbashree Hotel

KOCHI, October 24, 2025 – A dispute has erupted within the Kochi Corporation regarding the treatment of Kudumbashree’s Janakeeya Hotel in the Ponnurunni division. The finance committee meeting held today failed to address concerns raised by the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) regarding rent waivers for the hotel.

The controversy centers on a demand by UDF members of the finance committee to grant the Kudumbashree hotel the same exemptions as the Corporation’s Samridhi@Kochi hotel. The latter has rent, water, and electricity charges borne by the Corporation, while the Kudumbashree hotel, despite being designated a Janakeeya Hotel under the State government’s Hunger-Free Kerala project, now faces a notice to clear outstanding rent dues of ₹1.38 lakh. This includes penal interest, calculated at ₹8 per sq. ft. for the 1,069-sq.ft. premises, covering October 2022 to May 2023.

“We believe there should be parity between Samridhi@Kochi and other Janakeeya hotels like Kudumbashree’s,” said M.G. Aristotle, UDF parliamentary party secretary. “We will raise this issue at the council meeting next week.”

While Ponnurunni division councillor C.D. Bindu initially questioned the hotel’s Janakeeya status, welfare standing committee chairperson C.D. Valsalakumari confirmed that it was, in fact, a Janakeeya Hotel, but said the Corporation lacks formal documentation. She stated that she is favourably disposed towards the hotel and intends to bring its case before the council.

Mayor M. Anilkumar has assured that the Corporation is not rushing to close the hotel and that the matter will be considered if formally presented before the council.

The Kudumbashree hotel, currently run by 12 members drawn from five neighborhood groups, was established under the State government’s Hunger-Free Kerala project. The project stipulates that rent, electricity, and water charges for such hotels should be covered by the local body. The potential closure of the hotel could impact the availability of affordable meals for the community.

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