Shopkeepers Protest Against JK-Wakf Board’s Shop Sealing

Shopkeepers Protest Against JK-Wakf Board's Shop Sealing

VoM News Desk | October 19, 2023 | 05:08 PM IST | Breaking News, Jammu Kashmir | Follow on Google News

Shopkeepers Protest Against JK-Wakf Board’s Shop Sealing

Shopkeepers Protest Against JK-Wakf Board’s Shop Sealing

Shopkeepers at Budshah Chowk, Srinagar, expressed their grievances in a protest against the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Wakf Board for sealing half a dozen shops in the area. The shopkeepers claimed that the matter is currently under legal consideration and urged the Wakf Board to unseal the shops, enabling them to continue their business.

Several shopkeepers at Budshah Chowk, Maisuma, temporarily shut down their shops and staged a protest against the Wakf Board for sealing six shops. The central issue revolves around the enhancement of monthly rent tariffs, which is currently sub-judice. Shopkeepers maintained that they have presented their valid arguments before the honorable court and are committed to adhering to the court’s decision.

The shopkeepers highlighted that they are paying rent according to the agreement established during the previous PDP-BJP coalition government. However, the Wakf Board subsequently increased the rent without involving the shopkeepers, making it financially challenging to meet these new obligations during the current difficult circumstances. They anticipate that a verdict will be reached by the court shortly, which will be accepted by all parties involved.

Shopkeepers expressed disappointment over the “arbitrary” sealing of shops by the Wakf Board, which led to the temporary closure of their businesses. They appealed to the Wakf authorities to unseal their shops, allowing them to resume their operations.

In response to these concerns, Wakf Chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi asserted that tenants of Wakf properties would not be permitted to continue their businesses without fulfilling their rent obligations. She clarified that the sealed shops had occupied the properties unlawfully, and their leases had expired years ago, with outstanding dues of 9.50 lakh rupees.

VoM News Desk

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