Two East zone outlets reopen after BBMP shuts them down

Barely 48 hours after Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike officials closed down 10 East zone commercial establishments for flouting norms, two of them are back in business on Thursday.

The two outlets are The Winery and SRK Super Mart (a fruit and vegetable shop on 9th Main, HAL 2nd Stage).

While The Winery claimed it had obtained a stay from the high court, the shopkeeper of SRK Super Mart said they were closed, though DH has got hold of bills from both the shops.

Ironically, the shopkeeper at SRK Super Mart admitted that the shop is closed because of the BBMP’s clampdown on commercial establishments flouting norms. But a customer who had been to both the shops said: “They are back in business. People are buying fruits, vegetables and beverages.”

Another person said The Winery was one of the first shops against which the residents protested for violation of norms. It is believed that the shop sells alcohol to minors.

BBMP notice reads...

The notice pasted on the shops by the BBMP reads: “On July 28, 2018, at 10.45 am, the honourable joint commissioner of the East zone along with Resident Welfare Association members and other BBMP officials have conducted hearings, and it has been found that the commercial establishment is functioning in a residential area and is flouting the zonal regulations.”

“According to the complaints received by the RWAs and also as per the High Court order (WP No. 3676/2008 Date: 13.12.2012) and as per the orders of the Joint Commissioner (East), your shop is sealed on July 31, 2018,” it continued.

East zone joint commissioner D R Ashok said some of the shops, such as fruit and vegetable sellers, are allowed to set up shop under the ancillary usage of the road, which is 40-feet in width.

“I’ve asked our health officers to check on this and see if their licences can be revoked,” he said. “The wine shop has asked for two weeks to shift elsewhere.” But a nearby resident averred that engineers had measured the width
and the road is less than 40 feet.