Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam

Kizhakkambalam village

Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam is a nonprofit organization in Kizhakkambalam of Ernakulam district in India. This organization won the unique distinction of winning the elections in the local body elections in 2015 and making this little town the first corporate ruled town of Kerala state. ^[1]

Kitex Garment company

The corporate game

Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam was launched by a private company called Kitex Group of Kizhakkambalam,. The company wanted to take over the administration of the village and organized this charity. In the local body elections held in January 2016, this organization won 17 out of 19 seats and secured the administration of the town. According to Sabu Jacob, the Managing Direct or of Kitex Garments, the victory was because of the failure of the political system.^[2]

Kitex is a garment exporting company founded by the Anna-Kitex group in 1960. The company exports to the tune of 7,500 Indian rupees. They supply clothes to American and European countries and the company is listed as one of the best Asian companies by Forbes.^[3]

Threat to democracy

The acquisition of the town by Kitex is seen as a threat to democracy. P.Rajive, district secretary of the Communist Party of India - Marxist says, “It’s a corporate takeover of the panchayat; it’s a threat to democracy, the Kitex company now pays monthly salaries to the panchayat president and the council members, by accepting the salaries, the elected representatives of the village have reduced themselves to be the company’s employees.” ^[4]

According to Sebastian Paul MP, the company is into charity to evade serious charges of environmental pollution. ^[5] According to environmental activist C.R.Neelakantan, the company's motive behind the social service was doubtful because the company has violated many environmental safeguards. ^[6]

Criticism from Corporates

According some Indian management experts industrialists have no business directly running a village. They fear that it will start an unhealthy trend.^[7]

Development Activities

Twenty20 has taken lead in providing drinking water to the people of Kizhakkambalam.^[8] They have also taken interest in making toilets; repairing houses; ^[9]sponsoring surgeries and wedding; building places of worship and donating seeds and agricultural implements. ^[10]

The organization runs a food shop in Kizhakkambalam supplying vegetables and groceries at half the market price. 7,000 families are visiting the market regularly to buy provisions.^[11]

Anti Alcohol Movement

Twenty20 promised to make Kizhakkambalam an alcohol free village. This was the main offer of the organization during the election campaign in November, 2015. All the candidates fielded by the organization are teetotals. ^[12]

External Sources

References

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