JOIN USMinister laments KR Market traders' lack of civic sense
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, on Thursday, expressed dismay over the lack of cleanliness in the market even though the drive entered fifth week.
Speaking to shopkeepers he said, “this market cannot remain clean without your support. Hundreds of schoolchildren came to clean your market but you have not learn any lessons from them. Henceforth, no school or college students would be roped in to clean the market,” he said, urging standing committee members to monitor cleanliness of all markets in Bangalore once in 15 days.
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Market Standing Committee Chairperson Gowramma too regretted the lack of civic sense among traders.
“It is painful to see that you did not respond to the cleanliness drive carried out for the last five weeks. Due to your insensitivity, there is no sign of improvement in KR Market. I appeal you to keep your surroundings clean,” said Gowramma. Mayor B S Sathyanarayana took to task BBMP officials for not collecting rent from shop-keepers for the last nine years. As intensive cleaning of KR Market entered its fifth week, for a change, this time a social organisation called Rajini Ji Seva Samithi came forward to clean the City market in place of schoolchildren. During the inspection, Sathyanarayana pulled up the shopkeepers for not paying the rent, which has resulted in poor maintenance. He directed the palike officials to revised the rental value of shops, which has not been done since 1998, leading to loss of revenue to the palike exchequer. It is learnt that the rental value of shops is merely Rs 120 for the last 15 years.
Mayor was also critical about the collection of parking fee at the whims and fancies of the parking fee collection contractor. Parking fee is collected without calling for tenders. He directed the BBMP officials to lodge a complaint with the police to check illegal collection of parking fee.
He also instructed them to carry out development works inside the KR Market. Talks are on about developing the first floor of K R Market in an appropriate way.