Shops sale ‘scam’: 2 months on, no action against violators

Out of 59 applications cleared, 23 shops were found violating the building norms in Phagwara

Over two months have passed after municipal corporation (MC) inquiry found ‘irregularities’ in the MC shop allotment process but MC officials have failed to take any action against the guilty.

The inquiry was conducted by the MC assistant commissioner Surjit Singh following local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu’s orders.As per the inquiry, a fourmember team led by the then assistant commissioner (AC) Adarsh Sharma had received 158 applications for 190 MC shops.

The team had found that the four-member team had cleared 59 applications.

Out of these, 23 shops were found violating the building norms. Sources said that following the inquiry, Sharma was suspended and the 23 tenants fined for violations of MC laws. But these are yet to be imposed.

A senior MC official said, “The SAD-BJP government had issued a notification in December, 2016 asking the MCs to sell the shops to tenants, renting the property for past 20 years on government rates. The Phagwara MC, which has 190 shops had asked tenants for applications.”

However, during the allotment process, many applications, not even fulfilling the criteria were cleared.

Sources said, that later the allotment of all the shopkeepers had also been stalled and the inquiry officer had recommended ₹ 50,000 fine and 15 times rent on violators.

MC assistant commissioner Surjit Singh said, “The matter got delayed as no House meeting was held recently. Penalty for violation will be imposed on tenants after discussing the matter before councillors in the meeting.”

AS PER SOURCES, THE ALLOTMENT OF ALL SHOPKEEPERS HAD BEEN STALLED AND THE INQUIRY OFFICER HAD RECOMMENDED ₹ 50,000 FINE ON VIOLATORS