Now, encroachers will have to collect their seized goods from Chandigarh MC store

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigaeh, April 12

With encroachments on corridors outside shops/showrooms rampant across the city, the MC stopped releasing the seized goods of encroachers on the spot from today.

The violators will now have to collect the seized items from the MC’s store in the Industrial Area. They have to pay Rs 2,000 for any violation. At present, they pay to the MC’s Enforcement Wing’s staff on the spot.

“They found it very easy to pay Rs 2,000 on the spot and get their goods back. Now, the system of collecting the stuff from the MC store may act as a deterrent. It will be a hassle to them and will also involve additional cost,” said an enforcement staff official.

Earlier too, the MC had this system in place. However, after the online system of payment started, it was decided to release the stuff on the spot after getting the payment. This was more of a relief to the violators as they found paying the meagre amount no issue at all. Sectors such as 32, 34, 35, 35, 17, 15, 22, 21, 27, 28, 29, 19 and markets on Madhya Marg are full of encroachments. Even in small colonies and villages of the UT, encroachment outside shops is widespread.

“The MC should be held answerable for the encroachments,” said Ranjeet Singh, a resident of Sector 21. MC officials, however, maintained that they were issuing around 80 to 100 challans every month and carrying out regular encroachment drives.