The 'Unresolved Chapter' of Encroachment at Pandara Market Committee: 177 Traders Accused; Notices Issued Continuously for 9 Years
Ranchi: The issue of encroachment at the Pandara Agricultural Produce Market Committee has remained a subject of discussion for years. According to the Market Committee's records, out of approximately 900 traders, 177 have been identified as encroachers. Since 2017, notices to remove these encroachments have been continuously issued to many of these individuals; however, even after nine years, the situation remains unchanged.
Meanwhile, the question arises: if the Market Committee itself acknowledges the existence of encroachment, why has no effective action been taken to remove it over all these years? Sources suggest that while numerous officials and administrators have come and gone, the market premises have yet to be cleared of encroachments. Some observers claim that those who attempted to take strict measures to remove the encroachments were subsequently transferred.
The traders, for their part, offer their own arguments regarding the allegations of encroachment.
Regarding stall T-91, it was stated that no permanent enclosure has been constructed there. The party concerned maintains that only a shed has been erected to provide shelter from the sun and rain.
Regarding Balchand Mahto, the allottee of stall T-95, locals noted that he is a farmer and utilizes the shop only during the agricultural season.
Devendra Prasad Dangi, the shopkeeper at stall T-96, declined to comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, Parmanand Chaudhary, the allottee of stall T-97, asserts that the Market Committee had granted him written permission to construct a canopy or shed outside his shop to provide protection against the sun and rain. However, at the time of reporting, he was unable to produce any documentation to substantiate this claim.
Harendra Singh, the allottee of stall 186, argued that while construction on the roadway could legitimately be deemed an encroachment, he has confined his construction work strictly within the veranda situated in front of his allotted shop. Consequently, he contends that labeling this as an encroachment is inappropriate.
This ongoing issue of encroachment at the Pandara Market Committee is now raising a multitude of questions. If, according to the Market Committee, an encroachment has indeed occurred, why has no action been taken for years? Conversely, if the traders claim to have carried out construction in accordance with the regulations, what is the basis for issuing the notices? The administration and the Market Committee have yet to provide answers to these questions.
