BHUBANESWAR: Khaogali, one of the most popular street-food hubs of the capital city, is staring at a shutdown with the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) preparing to cancel the allotments and vacate the entire area near Ram Mandir over non-payment of rent by the vendors.
A proposal in this connection has been moved by the civic body in its recent corporation meeting alleging that despite reduction of monthly rent twice, the vendors putting up food-vans and kiosks at the site are not paying up, causing loss of revenue to government exchequer.
The BMC, earlier in April, had issued order for closure of the food zone for non-payment of rent as well as the complaints received from the parents association of the nearby private school over lack of cleanliness along the stretch. A meeting was held with the vendors and they were asked to pay the rent at a reduced rate.
“Despite the reduction, the vendors are not paying the rent while demanding a permanent vending zone and other facilities at the place,” the proposal stated. However, the corporation is yet to take a decision on it.
BMC deputy commissioner Ajaya Kumar Mohanty said vendors are not paying rent even after reduction of the amount by half. While the rent earlier was around Rs 6,000, it has now been reduced to Rs 2,000 for around 16 kiosks/vans and Rs 3,000 for another 15 kiosks/vans on the basis of their space.
The vendors, however, said that the rent is still much higher compared to what the civic body charges from shops in vending zones. Besides, they have also sought waiver of the arrears to ease their burden.
“While the rent for shops in vending zones is in the range of Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,700 for 12 hours, we are being charged in the range of Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500 for five to six hours,” said Khaogali Clean Street Food Hub Owners’ Association president Rashmita Khatei.
Khatei said the vendors have still agreed to pay the rent. However the exorbitantly high arrear fees, which in many cases is around Rs 60,000 to Rs 80,000, has made it difficult for them to clear the dues. “We have appealed the BMC multiple times to waive the arreas as the vendors whose business has already been hit in the prolonged monsoon are unable to pay it,” she added.
Khatei further said they have always cooperated the civic body on sanitation front and are also paying a user fee of Rs 1,200 annually towards cleaning. “Association members have also planned to hold a cleanliness drive in the area for a day every month towards the cause of Swachhata,” she added.
