SDMC gives major relief to hawkers, squatters

The Asian Age.

Metros, Delhi

Charges on seized items cut by 60-80%.

South Delhi Municipal Corporation

New Delhi: The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) on Friday reduced the composition fee and other charges in respect of articles seized and goods seized belonging to hawkers and squatters by 60 to 80 per cent. The charges for removal and storage of articles have also been reduced substantially.

SDMC standing committee chairperson Shikha Rai said the composition fee and other charges have been reduced after a standing committee meeting.

“Traders, hawkers and squatters, who are at the receiving end during anti-encroachment drives, are burdened with heavy composition charges.  The rates have been reduced to provide them relief,” Ms Rai said.

According to Ms Rai, in case of hawkers and squatters, the composition charges have been reduced from Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,600.  “In case of shopkeepers, it has been brought down from Rs 3,000 to Rs 1,000. Similarly, the composition charges on transport companies, timber merchants and heavy machinery dealers has been reduced from Rs 15,000 to Rs 10,000,” Ms Rai added.

The charges on car repair workshops has been decreased from Rs 7,500 to Rs 3,000. In case of unlicensed rehri, it is Rs 6,000, which has been slashed to Rs 2,500 and in case of unlicensed rehri dealing in juice; it has been brought down Rs 7,500 to Rs 3,000 and in case water trollies, it has been reduced from Rs 20,0000 to Rs 15,000.

“Also the charges for removing seized articles has been reduced. The existing rate for loads up to 40 kg has been reduced from Rs 750 to Rs 300, for loads above 40 kg and up to one quintal from Rs 1,500 to Rs 800, for loads above one quintal and up to five quintal the rate has been cut from Rs 2,000 to Rs 1,000 and for the loads above five quintal, the rate has been brought down from Rs 5,000 to Rs 2000, “ she said.

The rate in respect of storage of articles up to one quintal or less for a period of 24 hours has been reduced from Rs 500 to Rs 100.  The charge per quintal per day of storage has also been reduced from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2000.

“ If the goods of the same person are seized on second occasion in the same calendar year then, composition fee/removal charges/storage charges shall be an additional 25 per cent and 50 per cent of the above fees/charges respectively,” said Ms Rai.

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