MCC seals 9 shops in Saibeen Complex

MCC seals 9 shops in Saibeen Complex

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 25, 2012: The Mangalore City Corporation raided Saibeen Complex and sealed nine shops run without a proper trade license on May 25, Friday. 

Most of the sealed shops sold garments and mobiles. The MCC team comprising tax officers and health inspectors found two to three shops being run on a single license, but dealing with different types of businesses.

Several shopkeepers pulled down their shutters and disappeared from the scene when they saw the team approaching. The team found at least 50 shops in Saibeen Complex closed, and when they enquired about this, they got the answer that the owners had gone for their Friday prayers. 

Bharath Kumar, MCC health inspector, said that the civic body will conduct another raid on Saibeen Complex the following week. Several shopkeepers had visited MCC to apply for new licenses after the raid began. 

Speaking of fines imposed on merchants running illegal shops, he said that the fine amount was calculated as per the rental agreement and number of years their shops have been in existence. The fine differs from business to business, he added. 

The owner of Saibeen Complex complained that nearly 60 merchants were neither paying him any rent nor vacating the shops. 

The MCC first began raiding chaat stalls in the city, after which they began raiding hotels and malls.