challenges BJP Govt. to address shopkeepers’ Woes
Chandigarh (27 Feb, 2024): Senior Congress leader and former Member of Parliament, Pawan Bansal, was left astonished after witnessing the deteriorating condition of Sector 38’s two-story market during his visit on Tuesday. He interacted with shopkeepers who informed him about the distressing situation, revealing that notices ranging from 24 to 32 lakhs were being issued by the administration for booths valued at approximately 6 lakhs.
Shopkeepers explained that under the rehabilitation scheme, the Chandigarh administration had allocated booths in the two-story market of Laxmi Market, Sector 38, to those operating in the rehri market. However, this market is situated in such a location that even sunlight does not penetrate. With daily earnings not exceeding 200 rupees, and on top of that, the administration imposing an area penalty, GST, and notices ranging from 24 to 32 lakhs on booths valued at around 6 lakhs, the shopkeepers are facing an uphill battle. They are left with the choice of either arranging for their livelihood or paying penalties.
Pawan Bansal assured these shopkeepers, stating that if the residents of Chandigarh choose him again, he will prioritize finding solutions to the issues facing this market. Bansal emphasized that government officials only see rules and laws, evident in the continued application of GST, but at least the BJP government should have understood the plight of these shopkeepers and their economic conditions.