MC accused of ‘harassing’ elderly couple selling lassi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 11

A city-based NGO blamed the MC’s tehbazari wing for allegedly sparing tobacco shops, but pressurising an elderly couple selling ‘lassi’ to pay fine on the Keys Hotel Road.

The NGO said an official warned the couple to either pay Rs1,000 on Monday else they would not be allowed to sell ‘lassi’ there. The NGO has also written a complaint to the MC Commissioner.

Dr Amandeep Singh Bains of RBS Roots, an NGO, said: “An official of the tehbazari wing visited the Keys Hotel Road near Phullanwal Chowk challaned only one tobacco stall, while spared others in the same area and pressurised an elderly couple to pay fine. The couple has been asked to pay Rs1,000 every month.”

“We condemned this action of the MC’s tehbazari wing. Moreover, tobacco products are banned not lassi,” he said.

According to information, MC’s tehbazari official charges ‘fee’ from street vendors in the city and the move was opposed by SAD-BJP members.

Tehzbazari Superintendent Charanjeet Singh said: “The matter is not in my knowledge, but I will look into it.”