Issue Nº395-396 – News in brief

On June 3rd, the residents of Auroville were informed through Auronet that both the Funds and Assets Management Committee (FAMC) and the Auroville Town Development Council (ATDC) were reconstituted by the AVFO. This information was also published in the media. All new members of these working groups were appointed by the Secretary, Auroville Foundation. The Residents’ Assembly Service is currently setting up the RA-ratified selection process for all working groups: the Working Committee, the Auroville Council, the Entry Board, the ATDC and the FAMC. [see article on page 2]

Citing that a complaint had been received that the Auronet and Auroville.org.in were being used for anti-national and anti-governmental activities, the AVFO has taken over the Auronet and Auroville.org.in administration. Consequently, some individuals were barred from accessing the Auronet and some working groups’ email addresses as well as the mass bulletin became inaccessible.

On May 18th, the Inspector of the Auroville Police Station along with an officer of the Crime Branch Crime Investigation Department entered Auroville's Town Hall building at the request of the AVFO demanding the keys to the Working Committee office, to be given to Working Committee recognized by the AVFO. This request was refused by the Working Committee constituted by the Residents' Assembly. On the morning of May 19th, over 300 residents gathered in front of the Town Hall to show support for the Working Committee of the Residents' Assembly. Subsequently, the AVFO filed police complaints against six Aurovilians, on the basis of which First Information Reports have been made. The six persons have been granted anticipatory bail by the Chennai High Court.

The four members who were voted out of office refused to accept the RAD decision. On May 10th they informed the community that they had appointed three interim members. This Working Committee was subsequently recognized by the Auroville Foundation Office (AVFO). On May 14th, the three members of the Working Committee who had been permitted by the RAD to continue in office announced they had appointed four interim members.

The Auroville Council confirmed the outcome of the decision-making process of the Residents' Assembly concluded on May 8th regarding de-selecting members of the Working Committee. 92% of the 864 residents who participated voted in favour of removing four members of the Working Committee, 8% rejected it.

On April 27th, four members of the Working Committee decided to remove the three other members from office. This decision was contested as being invalid. Following these communications, the Auroville Council requested all Working Committee members to remain in their position and await the result of the Residents' Assembly Decision (RAD) on the 8th of May 2022.

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Sri Aurobindo, the Ministry of Culture has allocated a grant to the Auroville Foundation of Rs 6 lakhs for the making of two films; Rs 15 lakhs for two exhibitions; Rs 435 lakhs for four conferences including one at UNESCO in Paris; 20 lakhs for five cultural activities; and 28 lakhs for an Aurobindo Yatra.