“Traders of the Entire Market Being Defamed Due to a Few Individuals”
Shopkeepers of Pandara Market Present Their Side on the Encroachment Dispute
Ranchi: Amidst the ongoing discussions and actions regarding alleged encroachments at the Pandara Agricultural Produce Market Committee, a team from *M Bharat 24 News LIVE* visited the market and interacted with the shopkeepers. Speaking openly about their grievances, the traders stated that due to issues concerning security, theft, rainfall, and the Market Committee’s failure to undertake repairs for years, they were compelled to construct sheds and enclosures at their own expense. Several shopkeepers also remarked that the traders of the entire market are being defamed because of the actions of a few individuals.
Shop No. 23 was found closed, while Shop No. 31 was reported to have remained shut for approximately the last ten years. Local residents confirmed this information.
Virendra Kumar Gupta, the trader at Shop No. 27, asserted that he has not committed any form of encroachment. He maintained that his shop is being operated strictly within the confines of the space originally allotted to him. He stated, “We are being defamed because of others. While there is indeed a shed in the front, no goods are stored there. It can be inspected at any time.”
Krishna Prasad and Sanjeev Kumar of Shop No. 35 explained that the Market Committee has not carried out any repairs since 1982. The roof is crumbling, and rainwater seeps inside. Consequently, they were compelled to erect a shed as a protective measure. They added that their rent payments are fully up-to-date and that the shed constructed in the front was done with the full knowledge of the Market Committee.
The shopkeeper of Shop No. 34 was not present at the site.
Ved Prakash of Shop No. 36 stated that he had constructed a shed at his own initiative. He added that if the Market Committee were to regularize the arrangement, he would be willing to pay the applicable fees for the additional area utilized. He acknowledged that a certain degree of expansion had indeed been carried out towards the front.
Suresh Goyankar of Shop No. 136 explained that he had erected a shed entirely within the boundaries of his allotted space. This section was initially open but was subsequently enclosed for security reasons. Sanjay Kumar of Shop No. 179 stated that an incident of theft occurred during the year 2009-10. A written complaint regarding this was submitted to the Market Committee, but no action was taken. Subsequently, for the sake of security, they were compelled to enclose the veranda; since doing so, incidents of theft have ceased. He claimed that the then-Secretary, Zone Bhuiyan, had verbally instructed the traders to make their own security arrangements.
Shravan Kumar Sharma of Shop No. 200 remarked that the area remains shrouded in darkness at night. There is a lack of adequate lighting and proper pillars. Vehicles often remain parked for days on end, and the area also serves as a gathering spot for drug addicts. He explained that thefts involving the breaking of locks were a frequent occurrence; consequently, to safeguard their merchandise, they were forced to spend lakhs of rupees to implement their own security measures.
Pradeep Kumar Jain of Shop No. 201 noted that, in the past, entire cartons of goods would frequently go missing. As a result—out of sheer necessity—they enclosed the veranda and installed iron gates. He added that, following these measures, incidents of theft came to a halt.
Sunil Jain of Shop No. 202 also affirmed that the veranda was enclosed for security reasons. While goods were previously prone to theft, the situation is now under control.
No one was present at Shop No. 205.
The trader at Shop No. 206 stated that the government is welcome to levy taxes and collect additional rent for the space they have enclosed, should it choose to do so. He emphasized that the traders are ready and willing to make such payments.
In unison, the majority of the shopkeepers in the market voiced their concern that the Pandara Market has suffered from a persistent lack of basic amenities for years. The traders asserted that if they are not provided with adequate security, maintenance, and proper infrastructure, they will be left with no choice but to make their own arrangements at their own expense.
