PU panel holds online meeting to resolve shopkeepers' issues

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 15

An online meeting of a Panjab University (PU) committee, constituted to resolve demands of shopkeepers, was held here today. University officials claimed that shopkeepers protesting at Gate No. 2 were called to for the online meeting. However, no one turned up as they demanded an offline interaction, officials added.

Fourteen senior PU functionaries attended the meeting. After paying tributes to Neeraj, owner of Raj Eatery shop in vicinity of the Student Centre, who committed suicide, the committee discussed that the university had to function for academics and students.

“Leasing of shops in the market is as per terms of a contract signed with shopkeepers. No such agitation is expected from them. The university cannot be pressurised to enter into any illegal negotiation. This can’t be made an emotional issue,” said a panel member.

“The PU has allowed 10 per cent rebate in rent for the corona period,” the member added. “Representatives of shopkeepers demanded that there should be no double electricity meter security. Hiked rent should not be charged from legal heirs of deceased shopkeepers. Traders should be exempted from property tax,” the member claimed.

“The university has never increased rent of any shop three to four times. The protesting shopkeepers are from the main market, which never closed during the pandemic. Only Student Centre food joints were closed. Shopkeepers of the Students Centre area were never asked to pay rent for the period when their eateries were closed. These shops were allowed to open only on representations of students,” members said.

Protest march in memory of trader

Meanwhile, shopkeepers association members held a protest march in memory of Neeraj. Earlier, Manoj Lubana, president, Chandigarh Youth Congress, wrote to the Chandigarh SSP for an independent inquiry into shopkeeper’s death. “There’s a limit to which a person can sustain pressure. Shops in university are closed frequently. Recently, the PU issued a notice to close shops till January 16. An independent inquiry should be initiated into this matter and punish the culprit,” said Lubana.

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