Order to seal Guwahati Municipal Corporation market shops stayed

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court has stayed an order of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) whereby the latter cancelled allotment of rooms to some traders at the Guwahati Municipality Market at Fancy Bazar and even sealed them.

The GMC's order came during the pendency of an earlier petition filed by the Fancy Bazar Municipal Market Dealers Association and another party with regard to proposed increase in rent. The Commissioner of GMC, vide an order dated December 18, 2021 had sought to enhance the rate of monthly rent of rooms of the Guwahati Municipality Market to Rs 25 per square feet for the 1st and 2nd floors and Rs 38 per square feet for the ground floor. It 2004, the rate of monthly rent of the respective stalls/rooms of the market had been fixed at Rs 10 per square feet for the ground floor, Rs 7 per square feet for the mezzanine floor and Rs 5 per square feet for the first floor. Although the rent was being increased after a gap of 17 years, the petitioners submitted to the court in their petition that their business establishments had been damaged by fire in 1989 and they had been allotted rooms in the GMC market in 2004. Hence, the petitioners said, they deserve special consideration as fire-affected businessmen.

Last month, the GMC had sought time to file an affidavit in connection with the room-rent increase matter. However, on March 7 the GMC issued an order regarding cancellation of allotment and sealing of the rooms concerned.

While staying the GMC's order, the High Court observed: "The impugned order (of the GMC) dated 07.03.2022, prima facie appears to be a move to circumvent the orders of this Court which also has the propensity to undermine the purport and intent of the (earlier interim) order… Consequently, the members of the petitioner's Association be allowed to operate their business as earlier."

Also Read: Guwahati: GMC Seals 11 Shops In Dispur Supermarket For Non-Payment Of Rent

Also watch: