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Stalled business

Drive to rid those living on footpaths ends up ruffling feathers of street stall owners with valid licences from the civic body; chief says action was taken only against encroachers

Dheeraj Bengrut

Posted On Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 07:54:58 AM

The anti-encroachment department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) conducted a drive in three areas of the city, cracking down on people living on the streets and illegal hawkers who the police said were at risk of been run over by inebriated drivers.

Officials also took action against stall owners, who had authorised licences, but claimed that they were harassed. Ramesh Shelar, head of the antiencroachment department, said, “Last month we received a letter from the police with photographs of areas in the city with a high population of people living on footpaths and areas with illegal stalls.

Mohan Patil

Stall owner Raju Tishantar points to the PMC licence number on his stall; (L) a homeless person being evicted retaliates

We visited areas surrounding the Pune Court, Kumbhar Wada in Mangalwar Peth and the stretch of road beginning at Dengale Bridge till Congress Bhavan Chowk.” The team confiscated over 100 illegal stalls with the help of four dumpsters and JCB cranes.

“Beginning on Tuesday, we will issue notices to other illegal stalls in the city.” he added. The drive started around 3 pm and ended around 7 pm. There was a posse of police at all three areas.

Senior PI Pandharinath Patil of the Shivajinagar PS, said, “The reason behind this drive is the rise in drunk driving cases that are on the rise. There is no safety for those living on the streets, so this move to ensure their safety.

A force of 84 police constables was present to control the situation.” PMC workers handed over 20 beggars to Bhikshekari Maha Sanghatna , a local NGO.

There were arguments between some stall owners and the police as they claimed to have authorised licences. “I have been doing business here and have all necessary licences.

PMC’s encroachment department didn’t even inform us about this drive and took away my gas cylinder, tables and raw material,” said Raju Tishantar, who owns a snack centre near Dengale Bridge. “I have a wife and two kids.

We are dependent on income I generate. I suffered a loss of a minimum of Rs 5,000 which is big amount for me in spite of having relevant documents,” he added. Sikandar Bagwan had a similar grouse and so did Pranav Shukwar.

While the former owns a general store, the latter operates a Chinese foodstall in Mangalwar Peth. “My concern is that if we have the PMC licence then why is action being taken against us.

They should inform us of what is considered an encroachment,” Bagwan said. Shelar told Mirror, “We have taken action on those who don’t have PMC licences, encroached upon area outside their shops and whose hoardings are larger than the approved sizes.”

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