Ball now in Chief Architect’s court

Chandigarh, October 14

The MC Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner and the SSP, at a meeting held today, decided to send the matter of granting permission for setting up stalls in the festive season to the UT Chief Architect.

According to the Municipal Corporation, UT senior standing counsel Pankaj Jain stated that the civic body could allow stalls in various markets, except Sector 22 and 17, but he had not stated where to put up stalls. Jain had written that except corridors and parking lots, other spaces could be given for setting up stalls in markets.

“There is no place other than corridors and parking lots. It is not specified that should we allow stalls on pavements? Thus, we have asked the Chief Architect to decide the same,” said a senior MC official.

This has made the traders unhappy, who put up stalls during the festive season every year.

Nominated councillor Charanjiv Singh said: “The court had directed to remove unregistered vendors. It is not for the shopkeepers putting up stalls during the festive season.”

Earlier, Devinder Singh Babla, leader of Opposition in the MC House, wrote to the authorities to allow setting up of stalls. RTI activist RK Garg felt, “It should not be allowed as vendors are already enough. If stalls are put up, there will be little space for visitors to walk.” — TNS