Lok Sabha Question No. 97 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Auroville Foundation
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. D Ravi Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 97 ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## Auroville Foundation

## *97. Dr. D Ravi Kumar:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  initiated  any  action  regarding  land  exchange  activities undertaken by the Auroville administration, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the post of Secretary to the Auroville Foundation Office (AVFO) is vacant and if so, whether the Government provides a detailed explanation for the criteria and procedures followed for appointment of the Secretary, AVFO;
- (c) whether the Government has any plan to address the lack of transparency within the Auroville administration in handling visa issues for residents;
- (d) the measures being taken by the Government to ensure that all future land exchanges by  the  AVFO  are  conducted  in  a  fair  and  transparent  manner  with  the  necessary approvals from the residents' committee; and
- (e) whether the Government has any plan to nominate local Member of Parliament as an ex-officio member of the Executive Council of the Auroville Foundation?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) IN RESPECT OF LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  97 FOR REPLY  ON 02.12.2024 REGARDING 'AUROVILLE FOUNDATION'' RAISED BY DR. D RAVI KUMAR, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

(a) to (e) Auroville Foundation is a statutory body, notified on 29 th January, 1991 as per the Auroville Foundation Act, 1988.  With an aim to develop Auroville Universal Township, a Master Plan was developed by Resident's Assembly, further endorsed by Governing Board and subsequently approved by Ministry of Education.

One of the core objectives of the Master Plan is to secure land for multi-fold development of Auroville  Foundation.  A  robust  need-based  process,  endorsed  by  the  Governing  Board,  is followed by the Auroville Foundation for land consolidation. The Ministry of Education has also  provided  a  checklist/principle  to  be  followed  by  the  Governing  Board  to  ensure transparent process of land transactions. Further, Auroville Foundation follows a consultative procedure for land acquisition through purchase/exchange, appropriately consulting different stakeholders including the Working Committee.

Ministry of Education has notified the Recruitment Rules in 2011 regulating the method of recruitment  of  Secretary,  Auroville  Foundation.  As  per  the  Rules,  methodologies  for recruitment of Secretary are Deputation, Promotion, Contract Basis, and on Foreign Service (for persons serving in Universities, Deemed Universities, and Higher Education, Research, and Training Institutions). Further, the selection of Secretary is based on the recommendation of  Search-cum-Selection  Committee.  Secretary,  Auroville  Foundation  is  appointed  via following due process and the present incumbent was accordingly appointed vide order dated 1 st June 2021. Further Ministry of Education has issued tenure related orders on 4 th July 2024.

To  ensure  thorough  verification  and  compliances  of  rules  and  regulations  issued  by Government of India from time to time, visa procedure followed by Auroville Foundation has incorporated  multiple  steps  including  -  submission  of  visa  applications;  initial  review  by Working  Committee;  upload  of  details  on  Auroville  Foundation  website;  verification  by designated authority; final approval and recommendation letter; and submission to Foreigners Regional  Registration  Office  (FRRO)  for  further  necessary  action.  This  process  ensures  a transparent and robust system for visa-related matters with multiple checks and balances.

Auroville Foundation consists of three authorities, namely (a) the Governing Board; (b) the Residents' Assembly; and (c) International Advisory Council. Members of these authorities are  filled  as  per  prescribed  rules  and  regulations  of  Auroville  Foundation  Act.  There  is  no provision of 'Executive Council' in Auroville Foundation as per the said Act.

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