The Sambalpur Municipality has sealed at least 35 shops under its jurisdiction for default in payment of rent by the shoppers.
The shops belong to the municipality and have been rented out. Municipality executive officer Anirudhha Padhan said, “The drive will continue. The shop owners, who will pay the outstanding rent, will not be sealed.”
The municipality has constructed around 751 shops in the city. However, several shop owners are neither paying the rent nor vacating the shops despite repeated notices from the civic body. About Rs 50 laksh is pending against several shop owners.
Many residents of the city have appreciated the move of the civic body. “The shops have been constructed at prime market locations. Moreover, the shops have been rented out at very reasonable prices.
The businessmen should pay the rent regularly. However, it is unfortunate that lakh of rupees have been pending against them,” said a local resident.
“They are earning money from the shops, but several of them are not paying the rent properly. Municipality has done the right thing by sealing the defaulter units,” he opined.
“The shops, which have been constructed by the municipality, are source of income for the civic body. The civic body could generate huge revenue from the shops. It will be possible to carry out several developmental works in the city if the rent is collected regularly,” said another local resident.