The Times of India 23.05.2017
Corp increases rent for Saidapet market, vendors irked
TNN | May 23, 2017, 09.33 AM IST
CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation has increased the rental rate for the Saidapet Abdul Razzak Vegetable Market irking its vendors. The market’s vendors on Monday filed a complaint with commissioner D Karthikeyan against the increased rates.
Earlier in 2015, a Rs 9 crore-project was announced to transform the
market, which is one of the oldest in the city, into a modern 2 storey
structure inspired, by urban markets of Singapore. But the project was
stalled as it is facing resistance from vendors who are worried about
their relocation during the construction. Severe financial crunch in
corporation also is a reason for the project not taking off.
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recalibrated the rate from Rs 6 per sqft to the market value of Rs 40
per sqft. “If they had built the new structure and increased the rent,
it would have been fair. But we are facing the same old problems in the
market,” said T Bhaskar, secretary of the market’s association. “We want
them to reduce the rent.” Among the 300-odd vendors in the market, more
than 50 are permanent.
However, revenue officials and local officers say they had a meeting
with the vendors earlier in January and finalised the rates with their
approval. “We researched the surrounding market rates, had a discussion
with vendors and even reduced the rates on their request,” said a senior
corporation official. “We are only following rules that these rates
have to be revised every 9 years.” Officials also added that rental
rates of all shopping complexes owned by corporation will be increased
soon.
