Bengaluru: 2,000 unauthorised shops have been evicted from the market premises in an eviction drive carried by the BBMP officials here on Monday. The officials were led by Palike administrator T.M. Vijay Bhaskar and Deputy Commissioner (Market) S.K Mathai.
Officials locked up the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) office at the K.R Market complex as the committee owes Palike rent amounting to Rs 1.72 crore.
“The APMC has not paid rent since 1987. Despite serving many notices, it did not bother to clear the pending dues” officials said.
“With only a few days for Varamahalakshmi festival, thousands of people will throng the market. Several shopkeepers had extended their shops, obstructing the movement of the people. With the help of BMTF personnel, all encroachments had been cleared,” Mr. Bhaskar said.
“Shopkeepers, who ignored our notices, staged a protest. However, by afternoon, the BBMP workers with police protection were able to clear all encroachments at the market,” Mr Mathai said.
As part of the drive, the officials of the BBMP locked up 21 shops in Utility building for not paying rent. However, the owners of 11 shops immediately paid rent amounting to Rs 55 lakh and cleared their pending dues. The BBMP, however, locked up 10 shops.
Amidst chaos and protest, the drive started as early as 6 am.