The Hindu 12.06.2013
BBMP seals IndiaPost office branch and three banks
Customers of Vijaya Bank, Apex Bank, State Bank of
Mysore (SBM) and IndiaPost office branches in the Public Utility
Building (PUB) were in for a surprise on Monday morning when they found
them to be remained shut, even past the start of working hours. The
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which owns the PUB, had
sealed the four offices and put up notices outside that claimed that the
establishments owed the civic body licence fees, in all, Rs. 4.55
crore.
Janakiraman K. (name changed), a senior
citizen, was one of the many who came to the SBM branch for banking
transaction. He was directed to the M.G. Road branch by the staff
members, who were also fielding a volley of questions from concerned
customers. “I had to get my passbook updated. Now, I have to walk to the
M.G. Road branch,” he mumbled angrily.
A bank official, who wished to remain anonymous, said that several customers had been directed to the other branches
BBMP
officials said that Vijaya Bank owed Rs. 3.25 crore in pending licence
fees and fines, SBM Rs. 63.56 lakh, Apex Bank Rs. 33.09 lakh and India
Post office owed Rs. 33.54 lakh. They claimed that the four
establishments had not paid the licence fees for the past three years.
Following
the locking down of the premises by the BBMP, Apex Bank immediately
gave a pay order and cleared the dues. Similarly, Vijaya Bank officials
cleared the dues partly by paying Rs. 2 crore. Both branch offices were
allowed to open.
Meanwhile, SBM officials claimed to
have got a stay order from the High Court of Karnataka on the BBMP’s
move to seal their branch office on Friday. However, BBMP officials
maintained that they were not informed about the stay order and sealed
the branch office.
They said that the matter had been
referred to the BBMP’s Legal Section. SBM officials, who were present
at the spot, said that the High Court had directed the BBMP to maintain
status quo
.
“We will also check with our legal department to ascertain if the BBMP’s move is in contempt of court,” the official said.
