The Times  of India           05.10.2010

Meat market: MC may lease out booths

 CHANDIGARH: After failing to find any takers for the auction of Sector 41-based new meat and fish market, now the municipal corporation has decided to discuss the matter in the upcoming finance and contract committee ( F&CC) meeting scheduled later this month. Though sources revealed that officials and public representatives have reached a mutual understanding that shops should be given on rent at reasonable rates, instead of selling them on high prices.

Sources in the civic body stated that few days ago both officials and public representatives had held a meeting to discuss the issue and all agreed to give the shops on lease, instead of conducting auctions.

Requesting anonymity, a senior MC official said, "We are going to discuss the matter in the upcoming finance and contract committee meeting and everyone is convinced that shops should be given on rent instead of being sold off. We are hopeful that we will be able to find some solution."

Initially, MC had conducted auction of the Sector-41 fish and meat market in the month of April. However, the auction became a damp squib as none of the customers came forward to buy the booths due to its high prices. A recent bid also failed miserably as only one bidder came forward to buy the booths.

The matter was taken up in the recent monthly House meeting of municipal corporation, in which councillors had also settled to give the shops on rent.

There are 33 booths in the air-conditioned fish and meat market. During the April auction, the reserve price of booths was fixed at Rs 41.50 lakh for booths measuring 25.375 square yards. The reserve price of booths having an area of 22.75 square yards was Rs 37.50 lakh, while those with 47.25 square yards area were priced at Rs 77.50 lakh.

MC had constructed the AC fish and booth market with the aim of providing fresh and hygienic meat to city residents.