Secretary meets with residents

On 27 February 2025, at the invitation of Mr. Koshy Varghese, a group of seven residents met with the Secretary, the OSD, Dr. Seetharaman, and the consultant for visa matters, Mr. Koshy. The residents attended in their personal capacity.

While the meeting was initially called to discuss the 3 February gathering regarding the PKS case see [AV Today # 428, Evergreen Land Dispute] the conversation also included various concerns about the AVFO’s administration of Auroville. Points raised by the residents included the lack of response to numerous communications sent by the RA WCom and the IAC to the AVFO and GB; concerns about new internal “cumbersome and invasive” visa procedures; issues with linking visa recommendations to payment of “back dues” of what ought to be voluntary BCC contributions; the cutting of maintenances; the removal of competent people from their workplaces without justification; the recent ‘Residence Criteria Standing Order’; and concerns about attempts to change the Auroville Foundation Act.

Although the Secretary claimed she was open to examining specific visa cases and expressed the need for more regular communication, no concrete promises or actions were made during the meeting. The Secretary did not sign any of the approximately 90 pending visa recommendations while she was present in Auroville.