From right to left: Radhakrishnan B, Dipen Agrawal, Sanjay K Agrawal and Dinesh Sarda

A delegation of Chamber of Association of Maharashtra Industry and Trade (CAMIT) led by the bodys President Dipen Agrawal met the newly-appointed Nagpur Municipal Corporation Commissioner Radhakrishnan B and welcomed him on behalf of business community of Nagpur.

Dipen Agrawal, welcoming the relaxation announced on September 1 in working hours till 9 pm and exemption from odd-even opening of certain shops said that operations of about 50% shops in market places still remain under restriction. He further said that odd-even opening of shops for non-essential goods was introduced during later part of lockdown period to have calibrated opening of economic activities in the country. 

After announcing Mission Begin Again, Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI and State government has time and again reiterated that there should not be any restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of goods and requested to permit normal working (while following the COVID-19 protocols) in markets and market places by completely withdrawing the condition of odd-even opening of shops.

Dinesh Sarda, Past President of the Wholesale Cloth and Yarn Merchants Association informing Radhakrishnan B about the highhandedness of LBT department said that the department in total disregard to earlier directions of the then municipal commissioners are issuing best judgment orders without giving antim sandhi? notice (last chance notice). Appellate authority is not accepting appeals challenging these orders against payment of Rs 5,000 towards penalty, if charged, as decided earlier. Sarda also informed that department contrary to time limit prescribed under LBT Rules 2010 and specific directions of state government are making backdated orders. Sarda requested Radhakrishnan B to intervene and direct the authorities below to give last chance to dealer/assessee before making best judgment order and further to accept/receive appeals challenging these orders against payment of Rs 5,000 as decided earlier. 

Dhiraj Maloo drew Radhakrishnan Bs attention on the pending dispute between NMC and its tenants. He informed that almost all tenants of NMC have filed cases in the court of law against unilateral increase of rent by corporation, which in some cases is more than 1000 times. He also informed that the tenants being responsible citizens of the city and acknowledging that corporation should get the rightful dues, initiated discussions with the corporation through their federation. 

The deliberations were on the verge of conclusion, however due to COVID-19 lockdown, the talks could not reach to a conclusive end. Maloo added that this issue is haunting almost all corporations in the state and requested to take lead and make Nagpur Municipal Corporation the first corporation to amicably resolve the issue, to unlock at least three years pending rent.

Also read : Nagpur traders will not apply for trade license as asked by NMC: NVCC 

Sanjay K Agrawal, Vice President (Nagpur) CAMIT, informing Radhakrishnan B about the recent trade license order issued by corporation said that the order is ultra-vires to the provisions of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, 1949 (MMC Act). The said order tends to control every business, commercial and professional activities undertaken within the territorial jurisdiction of Nagpur Municipal Corporation, whereas the provision authorises corporation to regulate certain specified goods and operations as listed in Chapter XVIII of Annexure-D of the Act. He further said that the order was issued circumventing the provisions incorporated in the MMC Act in relation to make, add, alter or rescind the rules, regulations and bye-laws to this effect and requested commissioner to recall the order dated July 27.

Dipen Agrawal, concluding the submissions said that to raise additional funds for corporation to meet the contingencies arising due to present pandemic, NMC should form a committee having representation of administrative officers, elected public representatives, trade and commerce professionals to explore ways and means to enhance corporation revenue without burdening the citizens. 

Dipen Agrawal proposed that the committee identify potential corporation assets and monetise the same on Public Private Partnership (PPP) module, to generate regular income for the corporation; find early resolution to the impasse between corporation and tenants on unilateral rent increase, to unlock three years pending rent and to address the issues of developers who are waiting for approval of building plans and other applications to raise substantial amount for corporation.

NMC Commissioner Radhakrishnan B patiently heard the submissions and appreciated the concern shown to enhance corporation’s revenue without burdening the citizens. He informed the delegation that his first priority is to save human life and contain spread of COVID-19 in city, however, he is in favour to further opening markets and if specific inputs are provided in this regard, he is open to consider the same. He also assured to have detailed discussion shortly to address the issues raised.