K R Market traders file plaint against Palike commissioner

 K R Market traders on Monday lodged a complaint with Lokayukta against Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner M Laxminarayana for ‘violating’ High Court orders and allotting the open space used as garbage dump inside the market premises to private individuals. 

Despite submitting memorandums to the Palike and the then Governor H R Bhardwaj, the efforts to save the place has turned futile, they said. 

On August 2, construction work began. It was, however, stopped following resistance from traders, K R Market Flower Merchants’ Association President G M Diwakar said. “The high court had directed the Palike in 2002 not to allot any shops in the open space. The commissioner himself is violating the orders. The Palike has not floated tenders for allotting the shop. We will hold protest meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in this regard soon.”

The open space, measuring 10x15 sq ft, whose site value is estimated at Rs 1 crore is located inside the flower market next to shop number 9.  Apart from being a garbage dump yard, it is also the only ventilation area, traders said. 

The Palike is also illegally trying to allot five more shops on the ground floor of New Market Complex alleged Asif Pasha, a trader.  

On June 4, Deccan Herald carried a report titled ‘Palike may lease out K R Market dumping yard for commercial use’ highlighting the plight of traders and Palike’s attempts to grab the space. While City-in-Charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy said he will speak to Palike Commissioner M Laxminarayana and take necessary action.The commissioner, however, was unavailable for comments.