Warning bells: Traders cry foul over new rent rates and threaten protest
Increase in utility bills already affecting businesses negatively
Increase in utility bills already affecting businesses negatively. PHOTO: FILE
ABBOTABAD:
The traders of Cantonment Plaza Abbottabad rejected the increase in the rate of rent imposed on shops by Cantonment Board Authorities (CBA) and also threatened to protest against the decision.
Speaking to the media at his office on Thursday, Cantonment Plaza Traders Union President Haji Mumtaz said the CBA authorities have increased monthly rent of each shop of Cantonment plaza by 15% which was unjust.
He said an increase in the rate of utility bills has already adversely affected their businesses and the upward revision of rent will expose traders to further complications.
“All of us are indebted to our wholesalers – we owe them thousands of rupees and that is already making running our businesses difficult,” Mumtaz said. He added the recent decision will crush their small businesses.
He said all the traders have rejected 15% increase in rent rates and will take to the streets and observe shutter-down strike if CBA fails to withdraw notices for the increase in rent.
In reply to a question, Mumtaz said few corrupt officials were misguiding CBA authorities for their vested interest and demanded action against them.
Earlier, shopkeepers of Cantonment Board also observed a token strike for a couple of hours and marched to the office of CBA carrying banners and placards inscribed with their demands.
They urged CBA chairperson and station commander to annul the decision of the increase in rent.
The other side
When contacted, CBA Chief Executive Officer was not available for comments. However, one of his colleagues confirmed that notices for increase in rent rates were issued to shopkeepers.
He said the rent they were paying was several times less than the prevalent market rate. “It is imperative that shopkeepers who were earning hundreds and thousands of rupees from CBA property follow rules,” he said. The official added the annual increase in rent was part of the agreement that came about when shops were given to investors on rent.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2016.
The traders of Cantonment Plaza Abbottabad rejected the increase in the rate of rent imposed on shops by Cantonment Board Authorities (CBA) and also threatened to protest against the decision.
Speaking to the media at his office on Thursday, Cantonment Plaza Traders Union President Haji Mumtaz said the CBA authorities have increased monthly rent of each shop of Cantonment plaza by 15% which was unjust.
He said an increase in the rate of utility bills has already adversely affected their businesses and the upward revision of rent will expose traders to further complications.
“All of us are indebted to our wholesalers – we owe them thousands of rupees and that is already making running our businesses difficult,” Mumtaz said. He added the recent decision will crush their small businesses.
He said all the traders have rejected 15% increase in rent rates and will take to the streets and observe shutter-down strike if CBA fails to withdraw notices for the increase in rent.
In reply to a question, Mumtaz said few corrupt officials were misguiding CBA authorities for their vested interest and demanded action against them.
Earlier, shopkeepers of Cantonment Board also observed a token strike for a couple of hours and marched to the office of CBA carrying banners and placards inscribed with their demands.
They urged CBA chairperson and station commander to annul the decision of the increase in rent.
The other side
When contacted, CBA Chief Executive Officer was not available for comments. However, one of his colleagues confirmed that notices for increase in rent rates were issued to shopkeepers.
He said the rent they were paying was several times less than the prevalent market rate. “It is imperative that shopkeepers who were earning hundreds and thousands of rupees from CBA property follow rules,” he said. The official added the annual increase in rent was part of the agreement that came about when shops were given to investors on rent.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2016.