SMC for cleaning drive, shopkeepers alleged harassment

By: Musaib Iqbal MK

Srinagar

In the past few days, SMC officials have been inspecting various markets of Srinagar city and have imposed fine on the shopkeepers for not keeping solid waste in the bins.

In Lal Chowk, Regal Chowk and various other markets, shopkeepers have alleged that in the name of duty, Municipality authorities are resorting to harassment.

Soon after the covid-19 second wave showed a spike, SMC officials have been appealing the shopkeepers not to litter on the roads and keep solid waste in the bins.

Shopkeepers have alleged that in the name of this campaign they were being slapped with fine and also being harassed.

Reporting about one such incident in Regal Chowk KNO in its report, the Regal Chowk Traders Association (RCTA) Thursday accused the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) of resorting to harassment of the shopkeepers in the historic marketplace here.

Farhan Kitab General Secretary (RCTA) told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that SMC during inspection put the traders to harassment in the name of fine for littering.

He said they represent a historic marketplace, which is known for obedience to law and order but that they were harassed.

“One of the prominent shopkeepers was imposed a fine for littering when he was actually taking new stocks inside. He was directed to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 within two minutes or that it would be doubled. We are not against discipline but this is not the right approach,” the traders said.

The traders appealed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to personally look into the matter.

With inputs from KNO