Mangalore: MCC Raids Continue - 9 Shops in Saibeen Complex Sealed
Pics: Ramesh Pandith / Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)
Mangalore, May 25: Continuing the crackdown on unauthorized businesses in the city, the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) officials on Friday May 25 raided Saibeen Complex and sealed several shops.
Health inspectors and tax officials raided and sealed as many as nine shops in the complex for running business without trade licence. Most of them dealt in sale of mobiles or clothes.
The officials also found that groups of 2-3 shops were running with a single licence with the same shop number, but different businesses like mobiles and clothes.
Incidentally, when the officials entered the ground floor, many of the shopkeepers on the upper floors began downing their shutters.
More than 50 shops in the Complex were found to be closed, and when the officials enquired, they were told that they have been closed for Friday prayers.
Speaking to Daijiworld, health inspector Bharat Kumar said that as it was Friday, another raid would be conducted on Saibeen Complex in the coming week. He also hinted at continued raid operation on Saturday May 26 on another mall in the city.
He further said that soon after the raid, many of the shopkeepers had come to MCC office to apply for fresh licences.
"Previously in Attavar we had sealed three shops, and the fine imposed on them was based on the rent agreement and the number of years they had been operating. The fine amount is different for different businesses.
Owner of Saibeen Complex in his statement said that he has not been getting rent from close to 60 shops in the complex. The shopkeepers are neither paying rent nor vacating the shops, he added.
The MCC officials have been conducting raids across the city over the past one week. After bhel puri stalls were razed down, the officials took to task hotels and malls over hygeine concerns as well as unauthorized businesses.
Under MCC 'Raid'ar: