VMC acts tough with shopkeepers

VADODARA, Jan 28: Shopkeepers opposite the ST bus stand downed their shutters for the greater part of the day on Thursday in protest agai...

VADODARA, Jan 28: Shopkeepers opposite the ST bus stand downed their shutters for the greater part of the day on Thursday in protest against what they called the “arbitrary and dictatorial” attitude of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation. They alleged that during a surprise anti-encroachment move, some VMC employees took away goods worth thousands of rupees from half-a-dozen shops.

Agitated shopkeepers had an heated argument with Deputy Municipal Commissioner H S Patel when he arrived at the scene. Patel reportedly asked the police to arrest one of the shopkeepers, at which they immediately downed their shutters in protest against municipal corporation’s “highhandedness”.

However, most of the shopkeepers removed temporary erections from outside their shops.

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When asked about the shopkeepers’ allegations of removal of their goods, Patel told Express Newsline that only goods kept on the pavement had been confiscated. “The VMC is being very strict against encroachers”, he said, adding that they were empowered to forfeit goods impeding pedestrian movement.

Patel said that he had also lodged a complaint with the Sayajigunj police station against the shopkeepers for obstructing VMC employees in performance of their official duties.

Proprietors of Harish Garments, Guruji Suitcases, Kailash Garments, Kailana Garments, Balaji Stores, Srinathji Garments, Raunaq Dresses and Gayatri Garments, despite alleging forcible removal of goods, did not lodge any complaint with the police.