Senior Deputy Mayor against AITover allocation of kiosks in city

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 18

Senior Deputy Mayor Raman Bakshi, in a letter to the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) chairman, has questioned the allocation of vends to Verka and Markfed in green belts at Ranjit Avenue and other parts of the city.

Bakshi stated that the AIT had violated the rules regarding land utilisation and allotment of kiosks. “In the past one year, several kiosks have been allotted in green belts and footpaths without following any procedure. The AIT is meant for the organised development and beautification of the city. If they damage the city’s beauty, who will care for the same?” he questiond.

“I have requested the Deputy Commissioner to look into the matter and take appropriate action against the officials concerned,” he added.

According to Bakshi, no policy allows construction of kiosks in the green belt, footpath and parks so officials have “violated the rules for their personal interests”.

When contacted, AIT Superintendent Engineer Rajiv Sekhri, “We have allotted the kiosks with the approval of government. The Punjab Cabinet had decided to allot kiosks to Verka and Markfed to boost the sale of their products. We have allotted the kiosks to Verka and they have further sublet the kiosks.”

Sekhri also targeted the MC over installation of hundreds of illegal vends and kiosks. He advised the Senior Deputy Mayor to remove the illegal vends installed on the MC land.