The auctioning of the shops in commercial complexes and vegetable markets coming under the control of Erode Corporation was held amidst tight security here on Friday.

Apart from the shops, the civic body also listed two-wheeler parking lots, public convenience facilities in the bus stand and various other commercial infrastructure facilities under 26 categories for auctioning.

The process had attracted a large number of contractors, traders and members of various political parties.

Since the corporation anticipated a huge crowd, it requested police to provide security. More than 50 police personnel were deployed in the civic body's premises.

However, the process concluded on a smooth note. The civic body generates over Rs. 5 crore of non-tax revenue that includes rent from shops and license fees.

Meanwhile, the civic body had failed to auction the newly-constructed 90 shops in the Nethaji vegetable market this time too.

Investment

It had invested more than Rs. 60 lakh of tax payers money for the construction of the shops in the market, one of the largest vegetable markets in the town.

These shops remain unutilised for the past three years, causing huge revenue loss to the civic body.

A senior official claimed that the civic body could not allot the shops as it was also facing problems with the vegetable vendors on the fixation of rent.

“We will sort out the issue with the vendors soon and auction the shops,” he promised.