Shimla MC to hike penalty for return of confiscated goods

The Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC) has decided to increase the penalty imposed for the return of confiscated goods to Rs 5,000 in view of shopkeepers encroaching upon the area in front of their shops, especially on The Mall and in Lower Bazaar in the city. Earlier, the corporation was charging Rs 1,000 for returning the confiscated goods to shopkeepers and traders.

As per corporation officials, hundreds of shopkeepers on the Mall Road and in Lower Bazaar display their goods outside their shops, encroaching parts of roads and causing inconvenience to pedestrians and congestion in the market.

The officials say that the corporation is enforcing stricter measures against encroachments in the city. Bhupinder Attri, Municipal Commissioner, Shimla, says that stern action will be taken against shopkeepers, who have encroached upon spaces in markets. He adds that the penalty amount is being increased so that shopkeepers refrain from encroaching market areas.