Decision on Constitution of the Exit Review Group (Termination Committee)

Overview

The Auroville Residents' Assembly conducted an Emergency RAD (Residents' Assembly Decision-making) process in December 2023 to approve the nomination of nine residents to serve as members of the Exit Review Group, also known as the "Termination Committee." This committee was established to handle matters related to the termination of residents from Auroville.

Participation and Results

• Total participants: 521 registered residents

• Quorum requirement: 10% of eligible residents (240 votes required)

• Total eligible voters: 2,404 confirmed Aurovilians (as of December 2023)

• Outcome: The nominations were overwhelmingly approved with 97% support

The Decision

Result: APPROVED with 97% support (507 votes in favor, 4 against, 10 "don't know")

The approved decision confirmed the following nine residents as members of the Exit Review Group (Termination Committee):

• Ashesh JOSHI

• Auradha MARKUS

• Buvanasundari SUDHARSEN

• Ramesh Rao (Bunty) ACHANTA

• Dhandapani SELLAKANNU

• Ganesh KALIAPPAN

• Pascal François Dominique (Rakhal) VENET

• Rakhee KANE

• Simonette Albertine (Tineke) SMITS

What This Decision Means

The approved nominations establish a formal Exit Review Group with the authority to handle termination processes for Auroville residents. This committee represents the community's commitment to having proper procedures and representative oversight for sensitive residency matters.

The key aspects of this decision include:

• Formal termination process: The establishment of a dedicated committee ensures that any resident termination matters are handled through proper channels with community-selected representatives rather than unilateral administrative actions

• Community representation: The nine-member committee includes residents from diverse backgrounds and experiences within Auroville, providing balanced perspective for difficult decisions

• Legal compliance: The Exit Review Group operates under the Residents' Assembly's authority as established by the Auroville Foundation Act, ensuring that termination processes follow statutory requirements

• Transparent selection: All committee members were nominated through the Working Committee and approved through the democratic RAD process, ensuring community confidence in their selection

• Due process protection: Having a formal committee structure helps ensure that any termination decisions follow established procedures and provide appropriate review mechanisms

This decision came in the context of previous disputes over unauthorized removals from the Register of Residents, demonstrating the community's commitment to establishing proper procedures for sensitive residency matters. The 97% approval rate shows strong community support for having legitimate, democratically-selected representatives handle these important functions.

The Exit Review Group serves as a safeguard against arbitrary termination decisions while providing a structured process for addressing situations where residency termination may be necessary under the regulations governing Auroville.