A day after the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor informed that agitators would have to pay fees for holding protests or demonstrations in the city, he on Friday made a U-turn after facing backlash from several quarters.
Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said it was only recommended by a standing committee in 2014 but the final call is yet to be taken, which clearly contradicted his earlier statement. Jena had earlier said the civic body would charge a minimum amount of Rs 500 however small the size of the agitation might be. But if the number of people involved in the agitation crossed 100, Rs 1,000 a day would be charged. If the number of people taking part in a dharna exceeded 500, the charge would be calculated at Rs 5 per head per day.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, he said, “The standing committee had recommended this in order to keep the city streets clean. It’s still in process and no final decision has been taken yet.”
The stand was reiterated by BMC Commissioner Krishan Kumar. We have only written to the Commissionerate police to impose restrictions on use of plastics by agitators during rallies,” he told reporters when asked about the new rule.
Meanwhile, the Twin City Commisionerate police issued a notification stating that the agitators would be held responsible and penalised if they cause damage to any public properties during the rallies.
“Agitators must have to sign an indemnity bond with the police by agreeing that they have to pay the price if they damage public properties during protests in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack,” said Police Commissioner YB Khurania.
He said the new rule would be effective from January next.