CUTTACK: The vending zone at Jobra in Ward 41 of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) remains a non-starter even though it was inaugurated six years back. Call it the indifference of the CMC or lack of willingness, the vending zone is yet to be made functional.
As per reports, CMC authorities had decided to construct the vending zone to rehabilitate evicted local shopkeepers. The foundation stone was laid by Cuttack-Choudwar MLA Prabhat Biswal near Jobra fish market on August 31, 2010. As many as 63 open platforms (Pindis) were constructed with at a cost of `6 lakh.
The newly-constructed vending zone was inaugurated by Biswal on August 31, 2012. But not a single Pindi has yet been allotted to shop-keepers who had applied and submitted money for the same.
“We have been demanding allotment of the Pindis since long but no action has been initiated,” said a local shop-keeper who has been running from pillar to post for a platform at the vending zone after his makeshift shop was demolished by the district administration. “If the Pindis are allotted to us, we would be able to run our business smoothly,” he added
Beside being used by the locals in many ways and for various purposes including parking of vehicles, selling of chips and sand, the unused vending zone, which even lacks basic facilities like electricity and water supply, has also turned a haunting place for anti-social persons who have found the Pendis suitable for consuming liquor and taking drugs.
While contacted, CMC Commissioner Bikash Mohapatra said he could comment only after going through the official file. However, Chairman of CMC Licence Standing Committee Bikash Ranjan Behera said 63 persons had applied and deposited money for availing the Pindis of Jobra vending zone.
“But, the platforms could not be allotted due to some litigation and related complicacies,” he said adding that CMC would hold a meeting on the matter in coming month to allot the Pindis to the applicants.
We have been demanding allotment of the Pindis since long but no action has been initiated. If the Pindis are allotted to us, we would be able to run our business smoothly - A shop-keeper
As many as 63 persons had applied and deposited money for availing the Pindis of Jobra vending zone. But, the platforms could not be allotted due to some litigation and related complicacies - Bikash Ranjan Behera, Chairman, CMC Licence Standing Committee “But, the platforms could not be allotted due to some litigation and related complicacies,”