Kerala: Mahila Mall issue takes political colours

KOZHIKODE: Mahila Mall, the beleaguered all-woman mall set up under Kudumbashree, has not reopened after the lockdown after many women entrepreneurs defaulted on their rents. It has sparked off a political row with Congress and UDF-affiliated organizations raising allegations of irregularities in the running of the mall and demanding a comprehensive vigilance inquiry.
The mall inaugurated by CM Pinarayi Vijayan in 2018 is managed by a 10-member Unity Kudumbashree group registered under Kozhikode Corporation North CDS.The group had leased the building from the owner and subleased the property to women entrepreneurs.
With the Kudumbashree group asking defaulters to vacate the premises, the women entrepreneurs have been staging protests. They have alleged that lapses in operating the mall has left women entrepreneurs, who opened outlets, in debt. The mall, which closed in March following lockdown, was to be reopened on June 25 but it didn’t happen. Anita James who set up a clothing boutique in the mall, said the Kudumbashree group had failed to honour the promises to set up facilities like play zone which would have attracted more footfall. She said though she has not defaulted on payment of rents, she has also got notice to vacate the premises saying the license period of 11 months is over.
There were around 75 shops and a micro bazar with 25 outlets but many have left and only 30 entrepreneurs remain now. “We have given 10 months’ rent in advance and I had spent lakhs for interior designing. The main issue that made businesses in the mall unviable is the exorbitant rent of Rs 130 per sqft while other commercial buildings in the area are charging only Rs 30,” she added.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala who visited the protesting entrepreneurs in Kozhikode alleged that there were irregularities in the mall operations and needed a vigilance enquiry. Vanitha League, the women’s wing of IUML, too has staged a protest demanding opening of the mall.
Members of Unity Kudumbashree group said propaganda by some entrepreneurs that Mahila Mall was going to be closed down was false. “Refusal by a few entrepreneurs to pay their license fee (rent) has led to the crisis. The rent dues have now touched Rs 36 lakh and if they clear the dues, the mall can resume functioning,” said Beena K, president of Unity Kudumbashree group.