Footpath vendors vs stall-owners at city markets

Footpath vendors vs stall-owners at city markets
Deccan Herald

The owners of the authorised stalls inside the Market have no business, which is reflected in poor collection of rental by the BMP.

The demand for a new market complex was met. And now, a battle for survival ensues between the legal and the illegal occupants at the Malleswaram New Market on Sampige road. In a letter dashed to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, the Malleswaram New Market Merchants’ Association ru-es that the market is plagued with problems.

“The new Market complex has about 300 authorised stalls, which are paying the monthly rent to the BMP. However, our businesses are affected by large number of flowers, vegetable vendors, who have encroached the footpaths,” states the letter.

The aggrieved have sought immediate action to evict the footpath vendors, which is said to be the reason for many traffic snarls too. “The encroachers have denied the shoppers their rightful parking space. While, they are blocking the entrance to the market and eating into our business. We request mobile police teams to keep a watch on this,” appeal members of the Association.

Among other problems, the Market is faced with lack of basic amenities like drinking water and toilet facilities. “Lack of cleanliness and garbage disposal is a bane to both the traders and the shoppers,” says N Venkataswamy, president of the Association.

Meanwhile, a similar concern was voiced by BMP’s leader of the Opposition Nanjundappa, at the Council meeting held on Tuesday. “It is shocking to know that more than 350 footpath vendors near Sri Krishnaraja Market (City Market) have endorsements issued by the BMP”.

The owners of the authorised stalls inside the Market have no business, which is reflected in poor collection of rental by the BMP. Moreover, two floors in the same Complex are lying vacant. Now, how will the Corporation repay the loan taken for the new Market?” questioned Nanjundappa.

BMP Commissioner K Jairaj admitted that the loan amount was pending. “It is true that the BMP has to still repay a loan of Rs 157 lakh taken for the new Market complex. We have collected taxes of Rs 60 lakh in 2005-06. However, clearing encroachments is a sensitive issue and needs detailed discussion.”