THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation Council on Wednesday decided to act tough against two retail giants for violating rules. The Council, which refused to renew the trade licence of Big Bazaar at East Fort, also decided to ask the Mega Mart and other establishments functioning in an illegal building at Kesavadasapuram to stop their operations.
While discussing the plea by Big Bazaar to renew the Dangerous and Offensive (D&O) trade licence, the Council members raised apprehensions over the rampant rule violations by large-scale traders. The Corporation had rejected an application by the retail giant to renew its trade licence in March 2011, which was challenged by the latter in the High Court. The Court, in its interim order in August 2011, asked the Corporation to take a decision within three months. The Corporation had also conducted a hearing with the petitioner later.
The decision against Mega Mart Arvind Retail Limited came on an application filed by the retailer to stay the proceedings against it for functioning without a trade licence. The Council observed that the retailer’s failure to reply to the four notices served on it was a serious matter.
Unruly Scenes
After a brief lull, the Council meeting on Wednesday witnessed unruly scenes. Pandemonium prevailed in the Council after UDF councillor Mujeeb Rahman hurled unparliamentary words at BJP member Asok Kumar for interrupting his speech. While the UDF and BJP members began a heated debate, some LDF members too joined the issue condemning Rahman’s act.