Daijiworld Media network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 28: As the court has stayed the order issued by the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district to close down all shops in the Central Market building, the shops have opened again in the market building from Sunday, September 27 onward. The city corporation has been allowing the businessmen who hold valid licences, to conduct business.

Over 25 shops dealing in utensils, vegetables, fruits, plastic items etc located in the outer ring of the market have started to conduct business. Shops inside the market have not yet been opened. The lock of the main gates has not been opened. As water and power connection has been severed, the businessmen are using generators. As the toilet is inside the market building, the merchants are facing problems.

Hassan, ad hoc president of the merchants here said that a lot of things went waste as the shops are locked for six months. He said that due to fungus which grew during the rainy season, items are not for sale. So, businessmen lost lacs of rupees. He said that the merchants will meet the corporation commissioner on Monday and request him to open the gate of the market and allow businessmen to operate.

In the meanwhile, street vendors at State Bank, Lady Goschen, Central Market outskirts, etc have picked up business. More shops dealing in fruits and vegetables have come up. The city corporation will start to act against illegal businesses from this week.

City mayor Diwakar Pandeshwar said that the Central Market has 264 retail shops and in most of the shops are run by unauthorised persons who have got them on lease. He said that henceforth, only holders of the licences will be allowed to operate.