JMC Seals 46 Indira Chowk Shops Over Four-Year Rent Default

Jammu, Aug 25: The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) on Tuesday sealed 46 shops at the vegetable market in Indira Chowk for defaulting on rent payments for more than four years, officials said.

The sealing action was carried out after the shop allottees failed to clear their outstanding dues despite repeated notices issued by the civic body, including a final notice.

A JMC team visited the market, pasted notices on the shops and put locks and seals on the premises, officials said.

Deputy Commissioner (North), JMC, Sanjay Badyal said the 46 allottees of open spaces at Indira Chowk had not been paying rent for over four years.

“Due to non-payment of rent, sealing action was carried out on the directions of the municipal commissioner,” Badyal told reporters.

Following the action, a delegation of affected shopowners approached the JMC authorities and submitted a written request seeking relief. They assured the corporation that they would clear the pending rent and make regular payments for the allotted shops.

The shopowners also offered to deposit part of the outstanding amount in advance, officials said.

After considering their request, the corporation decided to lift the sealing, subject to payment of the outstanding rent and compliance with the terms agreed upon with the allottees.

Badyal said the decision to restore access to the shops was conditional and that the allottees would be required to adhere to the agreed payment schedule.

The action is part of the civic body’s efforts to recover long-pending revenue from commercial properties under its control and ensure regular payment of dues by allottees. (Agencies)