GUWAHATI, Dec 17 - Urging the state government to waive the increased yearly rents of the municipal markets, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation Market Central Committee (GMCMCC) on Thursday expressed its resentment against the exorbitant hike. There are 12 markets under the GMC comprising 6,000 traders.
GMCMCC president Pabitra Kumar Sarma said, �The then GMC Commissioner held a meeting on May 28 with us and he promised not to revise the rates, at least for this year. But surprisingly, an order was passed on July 18 regarding the new rates which are more than fifty per cent in comparison to previous rates.�
The monthly rent had increased from the earlier Rs 3 per sq ft to Rs 20 per sq ft. However, the traders of Fancy Bazar markets will have to pay Rs 38 per sq ft per month according to the revised rate.
However, the market committees are ready to accept a 10 per cent hike.
A source in the GMC said it has been done only to tackle the present financial situation and improve revenue collection.
There was no revision of the monthly rents of all the markets under the GMC for more than one decade, the source added.
�The traders have suffered a lot during the crisis. The GMC authority has issued a seven-day notice to them to pay the rent and failing to do so will lead to cancellation of trade licence,� Sarma said.
Increase in rents is unacceptable to the traders without upgrading the condition of the markets. �It is nothing but a way to exploit the traders. There are no facilities for shop owners like drinking water, proper toilets, etc. If our demands are not fulfilled, we will take rigorous steps in the coming days,� Sarma added.
