Civic body challans 58 vendors in Chandigarh

Sandeep Rana
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 15

In its first anti-encroachment drive after the Covid-19 crisis hit the city, the Municipal Corporation (MC) today realised that there was widespread encroachment in the UT and challaned 58 shopkeepers and vegetable-fruit vendors.

Two tempos, which were selling vegetables and fruits without any permission, were also impounded. Unauthorised vendors selling fruits and vegetables sitting on roadside or on cycle carts were also challaned.

Under the garb of social distancing, shopowners have encroached upon the MC land by fencing corridors. Though it is meant for keeping visitors away to maintain social distance, owners have flooded verandhas with their goods turning it into a kid of storage area.

Such shopkeepers and vendors were penalised in Sectors 22, 18, 38, 15, 46, 47 and industrial area today.

“It was our first city-wide drive after Covid. The drive will continue in the coming days,” said an enforcement wing official.

Earlier, during the day, Municipal Commissioner KK Yadav directed officials concerned to carry out the drive along with the police.

“Some vegetable and fruit suppliers have got their own rehriwallahs in different areas and they sell through them. They say there will be no sale otherwise. But, this is not the way. Those vendors, who have been authorised only should operate,” shared an official.

An official taking a sympathetic view quipped unemployment was also the reason for rise in number of vendors.

Another official shared, “The MC has allowed around 750 vendors to sell vegetable and fruits during the Covid-19 crises, but 600 more are operating in connivance with some suppliers and others.”

A few days ago, these columns highlighted the issue of how taking advantage of social distancing norm, shopkeepers had increased encroachments.

But, the MC drive does not seem to have an effect for long. In the absence of stringent action, anti-encroachment drives have always remained a formality. Contrary to the bylaws under the Street Vendors Act, shopkeepers are issued a nominal challan of Rs 2,000. The MC is also releasing their seized items after they pay fine.

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