Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Mar 18: The Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) continued its drive against illegal petty shops in the city for a second day on a row. On Wednesday March 18, the MCC officials demolished all illegal shops at State Bank and Lady Goschen, Kankanady, Valencia, Marnamikatta and other prime locations of the city.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of the revenue commissioner of MCC.
There was a lot of wastage of goods and other commodities as the shopkeepers did not move.
Sunil Kumar Bajal, representative of road side vendors speaking to Daijiworld said, "From past 4 years the corporation has been wanting to vacate the roadside vendors but they have not made any alternative arrangements for them. One-and-a-half years ago, a town vendors' committee was formed consisting of nine members including the commissioner as chairman and mayor, deputy mayor, MCC opposition leaders and our representatives, and four meetings were held. A survey was conducted. They had promised us to give id cards and called us for the same when Vinay Kumar Sorake, minister for urban development came to Mangaluru for a programme. But they did not give us the id cards.
"In Bantwal and Ullal town muncipalities id cards have already been given. When we met the commissioner and the mayor yesterday it was learnt that this is commissioner's decision. She is of the view that accidents occur due to the roadside vendors. They have told us that we can put up shops at any spot that is 100 meters away from a circle or a junction, which is technically not possible. We have planned a protest in front MCC on Thursday March 19 morning," he said.