The 134 gala owners in the newly redeveloped Sant Jalaram Bappa Market at Mulund have gone on protest against Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) decision to postpone the draw for allocating galas in the market.
According to the civic officials, Sant Jalaram Bappa Market is the first market redeveloped following the slum rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme and has been waiting for its inauguration. The 134 gala owners in this market were in favour of redevelopment, while 17 had opposed it. However, despite the opposition, the BMC as per the court directives, started the market redevelopment work in 2009.
After completion of work in January, the BMC also issued part occupation certificate to the market and decided to hold a draw for allocation of the galas at the civic market department office in Dadar (east) on Monday. However, as the gala owners came to the office, they were told that the draw has been postponed. Incensed by the decision, they protested against the BMC’s move to defer the draw. Some of them also went on a fast to express their dissent.
The Sant Jalaram Bappa Market Association officials alleged that the decision to postpone the draw has been taken under pressure from the 17 gala owners who had opposed the redevelopment. “The civic body stopped the allocation draw due to a few people. This will affect the majority in the market. It will also result in a loss for the BMC coffers,” said Vijay Kale, association general secretary.
Chandrashekhar Chaure, assistant municipal commissioner (estate department), assured that the gala allocation would be held soon. “We will hold a draw again in which eligible gala owners will be given first preference,” he said.