Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, May 12: A number of petty shops and fruits vending units had come up all over the town panchayat here illegally without any authorization. As it is necessary to maintain cleanliness as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus infection, the town panchayat had asked the shops to go away on their own. As the shops continued to function overlooking this request, in the presence of the tahsildar, the town panchayat undertook a clearance drive on Sunday night.

Former Congres legislator K Vasant Bangera led a protest in which shop owners and Congress leaders participated on Monday, May 11 opposite the town panchayat office. Addressing the protesters, Vasant Bangera termed the chief officer's action wrong for suddenly removing petty shops which existed for 15 years or more.

Town panchayat chief officer, M H Sudhakar, stated that the shops have been cleared in a lawful way. He said that there are 23 unauthorized petty shops within the town panchayat limits and all of them have been asked to move out. He noted that there is permission to undertake the sale of fruits and vegetables by using mobile vehicles like pushcarts. He said that all the shops which do not comply with rules will be vacated.

After the officials and people's representatives held talks, an agreement was entered into as per which the shopkeepers were allowed to conduct sale since morning and clear the shop and other things by night till lockdown ends. Thereafter, the protest was dropped.

MLC Harish Kumar, block Congress president Shylesh Kumar Kurtody, youth Congress president Abhinandan Harish, town panchayat member Jagadish D and many others were present.