Market corridors encroached upon

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 8

Under the garb of social distancing, shopowners in different parts of the city have encroached upon corridors.

In a random check, it was found that encroachment was rampant in Sector 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 32, 34, 44, 46, 38 and others. At some places, ropes have been tied to maintain social distancing, but the entire corridor is filled with goods.

Some food joints have kept chairs and tables in corridors leaving a little for visitors.

“Encroachment is always a burning issue. Even during the times of Covid-19, shopkeepers are resorting to occupy corridors,” said Rohit Kumar, a resident of Sector 15.

“Social distancing is not being practised in the city. In the name of maintaining gap, shop owners are storing their goods in corridors. Have they been given an open hand during the pandemic?” questioned RK Garg, president, Second Innings Association.

Charajiv Singh, chairman, Chandigarh Beopar Mandal, and a nominated councillor in the MC, “It is not in our knowledge. If this is happening, we will appeal traders to refrain from it.”

Though civic body officials have been challaning the erring shop owners, but in the absence of stringent action, anti-encroachment drives remain a mere formality. Contrary to the bylaws under the Street Vendors Act, shopkeepers are issued a nominal fine of Rs2,000. The MC is also releasing their seized items after paying fine.

However, in the case of unregistered vendors, a hefty penalty of Rs10,000 is imposed with no goods return policy.

Earlier, Commissioner KK Yadav had stated that Rs2,000 fine for shopkeepers was approved by the MC House and they too had a representation from the traders body.