City shop owners decry BBMP’s ultimatum to close shop

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) health authorities have issued warning notices to shop owners operating out of residential localities across Bengaluru to shut shop, if they are operating on a road less than 40 feet wide. The shops and commercial establishments which have been served notices are given a time span of a week to close their businesses.

While the BBMP has said that notices are being given out to shops that have been functioning after 2015, stakeholders contradict the claim. “They have given notices in Gandhi Bazar, to shops on DVG road. The shops on these roads are at least 50-60 years old,” claimed Prakash Prigal, President of Bangalore Wholesale Cloth Merchants Association.

Mr Prakash added that most metropolitan cities did not have roads as wide as 40 feet in all neighbourhoods, providing examples of Sowcarpet in Chennai and Chandni Chowk in Delhi. But it does not mean small traders cannot carry on with their business, he said.  “May it be commercial or residential, it is hard to find 40 foot roads. The BBMP must immediately roll back its decision as it will cause huge losses to small traders,” he added.

President of Bruhat Bengaluru Hoteliers Association (BBHA) P C Rao wanted to know as to why the decision was not taken into consideration while providing licences in 2015. “These traders have been already paying property tax, electricity bills at commercial rates as lawabiding, income generating citizens. The BBMP should come up with a provision that will let the licensed traders continue their business. They can enforce the rule henceforth,” he said.

Mr Rao also pointed out that amid increasing unemployment and the government’s inability to provide job opportunities, many have chosen to be self-employed by starting their own enterprises. “Many small businesses have popped up, may it be saloons or stationary shops. They have no other source of employment and shutting up shops will adversely affect them,” he added.

Residents are worried that their friendly neighbourhood bakery boy or the medical store attendant who always gives candy for change will now vanish from their daily routine. Many have also argued that residential areas cannot be differentiated from commercial areas considering the rapid urbanisation of the city.

"The rules and regulations need to be followed according to law. The authorities are mandated to enforce them. I welcome the move," said Mohandas Pai. Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath has said that the civic agency is only complying with the high court orders disallowing commercialisation of the residential areas.

BBMP has cited orders of the Karnataka high court in writ petition number 3676/2008 in its notices to justify their move. The shop owners will now have to close their establishments and report the same to the BBMP office along with photographic proof of compliance or be ready to face the consequences.