Srinagar- Shopkeepers at Budshah Chowk Srinagar on Thursday observed a shutdown against J&K Waqf Board’s move to seal half a dozen shops in the busiest marketplaces of the city.
The aggrieved shopkeepers said the matter is sub-judice and that move came as a shocker for the whole of the business fraternity.
They appealed to the Waqf Board authorities to de-seal their shops at the earliest so they could continue their business.
Several shopkeepers at Budshah Chowk Maisuma closed their shops as a mark of protest, terming the move as ‘unjustified’ and ‘arbitrary’.
The shopkeepers said the matter is related to enhancement in monthly rent tariff and that the issue is pending disposal before the court. They said they have put forth their genuine argument before the honorable court and whatever decision the court takes, it will be abided by in letter and spirit by all.
“We came to know that Waqf authorities have sealed our 6 shops during the preceding night. We are paying rent as per agreement drafted during the previous PDP-BJP coalition government. However the Waqf Board later enhanced rent without taking us on board,” they added.
The protesting shopkeepers said they cannot pay such a huge sum given their desperate economic conditions. The matter has been heard by the honorable court and we hope the decision will be announced soon and that they will willingly accept the court verdict.
Shopkeepers said the decision of sealing shops is “arbitrary” and appealed to the Waqf authorities to de-seal their shops and allow shopkeepers to continue their business.
Meanwhile all the six shops were de-sealed after the shopkeepers paid a token amount to the Waqf Chairperson, Dr Daraksha Andrabi following prolonged deliberations between the Waqf authorities and the traders.
Dr Andrabi said the shopkeepers whose shops were sealed had not liquidated an outstanding amount of Rs 9, 50, 000, prompting the Waqf Board to seal their shops.
“We have de-sealed all six shops after the shopkeepers paid a token amount and assured us that the rest of the outstanding amount will be paid soon. We hope the shopkeepers will cooperate with the board and pay their monthly rental on time in the future,” she told reporters.
This property belongs to the Waqf Board and we reserve all rights to remove those disobeying laws. Those paying Rs 700 previously as monthly rent have to pay Rs 7000 and those paying Rs 800 have to pay an increased rent of Rs 800 per month, Waqf Chairperson had earlier said.
She said the tenants whose shops were sealed had no lease or rent deeds as the same stand expired 11 months ago with an outstanding balance of Rs 9, 50, 000.
“If we let everyone off the hook, I think the Waqf Board will disintegrate on its own within the next five years and if this happens, the future generation will not forgive me. Let the shopkeepers handover keys to the board and vacate shops if they cannot pay the increased monthly rent,” she added.
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