Parking fee: Ernakulam Collector told to form subcommittee to consider petition

Kerala State Human Rights Commission Chairperson Alexander Thomas has asked the Ernakulam District Collector to look into a complaint about the unfair collection of parking fees at the district collectorate and to take a decision within two months.

The Commission asked the petitioner to forward the complaint and possible solutions to the Collector. The Collector should form a subcommittee of Sub-Collectors and officials to consider the issue. The committee should hear the petitioner and give a factual report to the Collector who should take a decision without delay.

It is said that parking fee was introduced to ensure the security of the civil station. Parking is free for the first hour for visitors. Out of the fees collected, ₹1,500 is paid to the government monthly. However, RTI activist Raju Vazhakkala alleged that parking fee was being collected right from the time of parking.

The Commission, however, said that since the decision to collect parking fee was a policy decision, it could not be labelled illegal.