Except Sec 22 & 17, stalls can be set up across city: Counsel

Sandeep Rana
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 9

The reply of the UT senior standing counsel to the Municipal Corporation has finally paved the way for putting up stalls in various markets, except Sectors 22 and 17, during this festive season.

Counsel Pankaj Jain today wrote to the civic body stating that the status quo order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court was for Sector 22 only. While the normal practice of allowing stalls during the festive season every year does not fall under the purview of taking action against unregistered vendors. The court had directed to remove unregistered vendors within a period of one month earlier.

He also pointed that the place (Sector 17), which has been declared a no-vending zone by the Town Vending Committee, should also not be allowed to put up stalls. MC’s counsel Deepali Puri had earlier cautioned the corporation that it could invite the ire of the court if coupons were issued for putting up stalls.

However, she had suggested that an advice could also be sought from the UT senior standing counsel. Traders have already asked MC Commissioner KK Yadav to allow stalls, however, he had sought legal opinion. If the cash-starved MC fails to give permission, it may face a loss of Rs 50 lakh.

Every year, during the festive season, coupons are issued to shopkeepers and vendors to put up stalls. Three days before festivals such as Dasehra, Karva Chauth, Dhanteras and Diwali, permission for such stalls is granted. A shopkeeper said nearly Rs 500 plus GST was charged per day for three days, while in case, the permission was sought for a seven or 20-day period at a stretch, Rs 2,000 plus GST per day was charged.

Charanjiv Singh, nominated councillor and chairman, Chandigarh Beopar Mandal, said, “Since legal opinon has found it right, the stalls should be permitted.”