GMC leaves Guwahati markets half-constructed for 5 years

Earlier in March 2014, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) started the construction work in three markets- Ulubari GMC market, Ganeshguri GMC market, and Fatashil GMC market out of the 12 markets under GMC for the development of the houses of the markets in presence of Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The buildings were supposed to be completed within 18 months, however, it has been over five years no development was seen.

Speaking to The Sentinel Digital Pabitra Kumar Sarma, GMCMCC president said that GMC has created tension among the traders and business establishments as they did not complete the construction of the buildings and because of that the traders had to set up their shops here and there somehow due to lack of place.

He said, before starting the construction of new buildings GMC demolished old shops to build new buildings for the development of the markets and said that shop owners would not have to pay rent unless they run their business here but despite that GMC now asked the shop owners to pay the monthly rent and also said if one failed to pay the due they would not be offered with the allotment of their shops next time.

Earlier on Thursday (December 17) GMCMCC expressed its dissatisfaction against the excessive hike in annual rentals of the municipal markets. They urged the state government to waive the increased annual rentals of the municipal markets.

Demolishing shops, sudden hike in rent leaves shop owners livid. The shop owners' committee is also ready to move to Gauhati High Court. However, they are ready to accept a 10 percent hike of the hundred percent.

Noteworthy is that GMC has increased the monthly rent for the shops from Rs 3 per sq ft to Rs 38 per sq ft. The GMC authority has also issued a seven-day notice to the traders to pay the rent and said failing to do so would lead to the cancellation of the commercial license.

The GMCMCC asked the government to upgrade the condition of the markets first then to increase the rent

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