GUWAHATI, July 29 � Situated at a picturesque location on the Brahmaputra bank in Uzanbazar, Kachhari Bazar is a favourite haunt for picking up the fresh veggies. However, lack of civic amenities, increased taxation and forceful money collection, according to the traders, are making it difficult for the petty sellers to run their business peacefully in the area.
The market that was established permanently at its present location in 1987 is not just catering to the need for vegetable, fruit, fish, etc., of the consumers but has also been a source of livelihood of around 80 permanent and nearly 50- non-permanent traders.
Witnessing lots of hullabaloo on increased taxation and use of force for money collection from the shopkeepers, Kachhari market was closed for four days recently, as the traders lodged their protest taking to the streets.
�As the market was handed over to the lesee in 2010, the per day tax collection shot up suddenly and now we are pressurized to pay the increased tax. Many traders of the market have also been subjected to forceful municipal tax payment, which is unjustified,� said Narayan Chandra Barman, secretary of the Kachari Bazar Unnayan Samity.
In a memorandum to the GMC commissioner, the committee had written that a group of 10-12 youngsters, introducing themselves as the lessee of the market, demanded money at a �very� higher rate and collected money forcefully from the traders separately against their seat, and per bag of vegetables.
On the other hand, the GMC authorities explain that it is the market committee that is not co-operating with the civic body to take up facelift projects for the markets. �The rents and fees were revised in 2008, but the traders have been paying at the old rates. We would take suitable action if we come to know that they are compelled to pay more than the revised rates,� S Theik, additional commissioner, GMC said.
Traders, however, complain that tax cannot be increased as the corporation is not providing them with any of the civic amenities. �Not a penny has been spent by the GMC in the name of market development. During the rainy season, it becomes difficult for the customers to shop in the market, and there is no proper drainage and electricity facility. We do not event have the toilet and conservancy facilities here. Even repairing work is done by the traders themselves,� Rupak Saha, a vegetable seller said.
�The revised rate list has been prepared for the wholesale trader, whereas we are the small retailers doing business here. The market should be developed before increasing the taxation. Since early morning, the traders need to pay. Even the water supply is inadequate in the market. Time and again, we have to pay a high parking fee to unload our stock,� Barman added.
GUWAHATI, July 29 � Situated at a picturesque location on the Brahmaputra bank in Uzanbazar, Kachhari Bazar is a favourite haunt for picking up the fresh veggies. However, lack of civic amenities, increased taxation and forceful money collection, according to the traders, are making it difficult for the petty sellers to run their business peacefully in the area.
The market that was established permanently at its present location in 1987 is not just catering to the need for vegetable, fruit, fish, etc., of the consumers but has also been a source of livelihood of around 80 permanent and nearly 50- non-permanent traders.
Witnessing lots of hullabaloo on increased taxation and use of force for money collection from the shopkeepers, Kachhari market was closed for four days recently, as the traders lodged their protest taking to the streets.
�As the market was handed over to the lesee in 2010, the per day tax collection shot up suddenly and now we are pressurized to pay the increased tax. Many traders of the market have also been subjected to forceful municipal tax payment, which is unjustified,� said Narayan Chandra Barman, secretary of the Kachari Bazar Unnayan Samity.
In a memorandum to the GMC commissioner, the committee had written that a group of 10-12 youngsters, introducing themselves as the lessee of the market, demanded money at a �very� higher rate and collected money forcefully from the traders separately against their seat, and per bag of vegetables.
On the other hand, the GMC authorities explain that it is the market committee that is not co-operating with the civic body to take up facelift projects for the markets. �The rents and fees were revised in 2008, but the traders have been paying at the old rates. We would take suitable action if we come to know that they are compelled to pay more than the revised rates,� S Theik, additional commissioner, GMC said.
Traders, however, complain that tax cannot be increased as the corporation is not providing them with any of the civic amenities. �Not a penny has been spent by the GMC in the name of market development. During the rainy season, it becomes difficult for the customers to shop in the market, and there is no proper drainage and electricity facility. We do not event have the toilet and conservancy facilities here. Even repairing work is done by the traders themselves,� Rupak Saha, a vegetable seller said.
�The revised rate list has been prepared for the wholesale trader, whereas we are the small retailers doing business here. The market should be developed before increasing the taxation. Since early morning, the traders need to pay. Even the water supply is inadequate in the market. Time and again, we have to pay a high parking fee to unload our stock,� Barman added.
