Members of the Bangalore Flower Merchant Association (BFMA) at K R Market have alleged that the BBMP’s Deputy Commissioner for Markets Nagaraj allowed shops to be built on spaces meant for emergency exits and ventilation, in connivance with influential people.
BFMA member B R Anil Kumar told reporters here on Friday that in 2007 the High Court had raised objections to any construction in places like emergency exits and ventilators and ordered for its clearance. However, these orders were overlooked by BBMP officials who allotted eight shops constructed on such places, he said.
“When we raised objections citing a Court direction, the officials did not care”, Kumar said.
When the standing committee inspected the market in November 2011 following complaints from flower vendors, no action was taken. “There is also a rule that no shops be built in open spaces left for ventilation but now nine shops have come up at this place,” he said.