VELLORE: The Vellore Corporation has given a three day ultimatum beginning Saturday to vegetable vendors and merchants in Nethaji Market, in the heart of Fort City, to vacate their shops.
The local body passed a resolution on September 21 to rebuild the market.
However, the merchants and vegetable vendors affiliated to Vellore unit of the Tamil Nadu Merchant Association, have objected to the short notice to vacate the market. They have demanded that the local administration reconsider its decision.
A merchant said,“How can we vacate this market within three days? Around 5000 families directly or indirectly are relying on Nethaji Market for their livelihood.”
District Secretary of the association R B Gnanavelu said,“We can’t vacate the market in three days. We need more time and want assurance from the Corporation that they would allocate shops for merchants, who are occupying it presently.”
Corporation Commissioner Janaki Raveendaran has called for a meeting with the association members on Monday.
At a council meeting held recently, Commissioner Janaki said rules did not permit the allocation of space to the same merchants. The local body would therefore auction the shops after the construction work was completed.