Gupta promises to address shopkeepers’ grievances

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, February 20

With welfare associations continuing to voice their concern against paid parking in Sector 8, 9 and 10 markets, Haryana Speaker and local MLA Gian Chand Gupta today visited city’s commercial hub to listen to grievances of shopkeepers.

When asked about the protest by Panchkula Vikas Manch, Gupta said, “A handful of people do not represent shopkeepers, who are appreciating the move. I have ordered to remove loopholes like proper demarcation in parking lots and provide daily pass facility.”

On the other hand, the Panchkula Vikas Manch continued with their protest, demanding rollback of the paid parking decision. The manch alleged that Gupta stepped back from his poll promise of not introducing paid parking in the city. Earlier, the Panchkula’s Citizen Welfare Association had also met ADC Manita Malik over the issue on Monday.

Many parking lots in Sector 8, 9 and 10 markets still do not have proper demarcation. This confuses motorists, who want to park their vehicles in an orderly manner.

Red Cross Society and the District Council for Child Welfare manage parking in these sectors.

The parking charges have been fixed at Rs 5 for two-wheelers and Rs 10 for four-wheelers. The two organisations are expected to generate a monthly income of Rs 8 lakh to Rs 10 lakh from paid-parking facilities.