The Hindu : New Delhi News : A long wait for shopkeepers of NDMC markets

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A long wait for shopkeepers of NDMC markets

Manisha Jha

Even after 40 years, traders are still awaiting transfer of shop-ownership rights in 15 markets under the civic agency

NEW DELHI: After fighting a long battle for 40 years with the New Delhi Municipal Council, shopkeepers of 15 markets in areas under its jurisdiction are still awaiting ownership of shops transferred to them by the civic body. In fact, the NDMC had passed a resolution in 2000 and 2002 resolving to transfer the same.

The 15 markets include nine rehabilitation markets comprising Kidwai Nagar Market (South), Kidwai Nagar Market (Central), Netaji Nagar Market, Laxmi Bai Nagar Market, Basurkar Market, Begum Zaidi Market, Nauroji Nagar Market, Prithvi Nagar Market and Pandara Road Market and five markets built on pedestrian right of way. These comprise Janpath, Yusufzai, Panchkuian Road, Babar Road and Baird Lane. In addition, Lodhi Colony Market was also included in the list.

The demand for transfer was first raised in 1968 by the nine rehabilitation markets housing a total of 458 shops. At present, the shops are running on leasehold basis with the NDMC.

The civic body after obtaining necessary permissions and no-objection certificates from the authorities concerned as Land and Development Office, Delhi Develop- ment Authority, Union Urban Development Ministry had also handed over a letter to the nine rehabilitation market associations in December 2001 conveying the transfer of ownership to nine rehabilitation markets and Lodhi Colony Market. It had done the same for the remaining five markets via a letter dated April 2002.

Numerous pleas

Lodhi Colony Market Association president Jaswant Rai Grover said: “The letters also stated the details of the terms and conditions of the transfer including the rates clearly showing the progress in the case and the intention of the NDMC to transfer the ownership at the earliest. But despite our numerous requests to the Chief Minister and sympathetic attitude of various NDMC chairpersons, no action has been taken yet even after so many years.”

“If the NDMC implements the transfer it would lose license fee to the tune of Rs.45 lakh per annum being paid by the shop allottees but it will gain from the lump-sum payment by allottees and revenue from property tax every year as well as save expenditure on maintenance and upkeep of these markets and also save in terms of time, energy and effort involved in managing licence contracts. Despite all this I cannot understand why they are taking so long? ” added Mr Grover.

Apart from the psychological feeling of providing stability, the shopkeepers have been awaiting the transfer to put an end to several other issues arising owning to their non-owner status.

Third generation

NDMC Markets Federation vice-president Manohar Chadha said: “In my family it is the third generation in running which is still fighting for this issue. Due to the non-grant of ownership status to shopkeepers, they are unable to opt for partnership, change trade or sublet the shop in case their business does not pick up.”

Yusufzai Market Connaught Circus president H. S. Moti said: “We have to face increasing expenses on rents and taxes as well and are unable to take loans from banks for our shops as they only lend against documents certifying shop ownership.”

The NDMC Markets Federation president Inder Narula added: “Non-issuance of loans from financial institutions is a very important issue as because of that we have not been able to get money to expand and renovate our shops properly since they were built over 30 years back.”

A meeting of the shopkeepers with the NDMC Chairman was also held on Tuesday and after listening to the grievances of the shopkeepers, the civic body decided to re-examine the issue again.

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