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.