Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur

Puttur, Jul 6: The Uppinangady gram panchayat on Sunday sealed five commercial shops owned by the panchayat after the occupants failed to clear outstanding auction bid payments despite being granted additional time.

The action was carried out early in the morning by gram panchayat development officer Vilaid Lawrence Rodrigues.

According to the panchayat, the occupants of the five shops had accumulated auction bid dues amounting to nearly Rs 10 lakh, resulting in significant revenue loss to the local body.

Officials said several commercial units had earlier been sealed for similar defaults. Most of the occupants subsequently cleared their pending dues and had the seals removed.

However, the five shop occupants who had sought additional time to settle their dues failed to honour their commitment even after the deadline expired.

Panchayat development officer Wilfred Lawrence Rodrigues said the occupants had misused the extension granted to them by not clearing the outstanding amount, leaving the panchayat with no option but to seal the shops once again.