Traders move HC seeking interim stay on eviction of shops

Madurai: Members of the Bharathiyar Vanika Valagam (shopping complex) near Periyar bus stand, Madurai have moved the Madurai bench of the Madras high court seeking an interim stay on the corporation authorities’ move to evict the shops in the complex without issuing any notice or making alternative arrangements.
According to the petitioner, A Karuppandi, secretary of the merchants’ association, there are 450 licensed shops functioning in the complex near the bus stand for four decades now and they are to be removed as part of the Madurai “Smart City” project.
The authorities had recently issued a tender notice for development of Periyar bus stand under the smart city project and the last date for closing the tender is October 3. The petitioner stated that their association has learnt that the corporation authorities will issue notice to them to vacate the shops after the tender comes is executed.
Stating that the livelihood of as many as 10,000 people is dependent on these shops and with the festival season approaching, issuing notice to vacate will be a burden on them, the petitioner contended.
The petitioner stated that they will extend full cooperation to the corporation for the development of the Periyar bus stand, but they have not been kept in the loop about the new allotments and this has made them apprehensive.
“We have no difference of opinion on Madurai getting developed under the smart city scheme. There is no doubt the quality of life of Madurai people will be improved,” the petition stated.
However, the tender notice was issued without individual notice to the stakeholders and without conducting a public hearing. The petitioners further sought the court to issue directions to the authorities to not evict them without providing alternative arrangements.