Tension as Shops go Under Hammer

VIJAYAWADA: The auction for leasing out shops in the endowment department’s commercial complex - Challam Raju Venkata Seshaiah Choultry - in One Town area of the city sparked protests for alleged violation of norms, on Wednesday. Tension prevailed for some time at the place.

Executive officer Y Siva Ramaiah invited tenders for 10 shops at the complex and the process was completed on March 10 with the participation of 230 parties from various places by paying `10,000 deposit. Some contractors, who had acquired three of the 10 shops, protested against the endowment department officials for ‘violating’ rules.

The contractors are demanding that the officials return their money saying they would pay six months deposit after two days like the other new contractors who have acquired three shops through tenders.

Old contractors of these 10 shops also staged protest wearing black badges at the endowment office. They said they were doing business for the past 30 years and it was not right on the part of the government to invite fresh tenders for the shops.

“We are paying `10,000 rent every month. How can we suddenly pay `3 lakh to continue the business in the same shop?” lamented a shopkeeper. 

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