Cannot ask MCC to stop 'civic tiger': DC

Mangalore, June 21: Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner NS Channappa Gowda has refused to intervene to stop the 'civic tiger'.

The DC told the members of Beedhi Badi Vyaparasthara Horata Samiti, who met him at his office on Monday evening that he would discuss the issue of street vendors of the city whenever time permits. “But it is impossible to ask MCC to stop “civic tiger” from evicting street vendors”, he said.

Councillor Mariamma Thomas complained to the DC that the Corporation was not functioning properly.

Rita Noronha, professor at School of Social Work Roshni Nilaya urged Mr. Gowda to take steps to safeguard the interests of street vendors.

Janata Dal (Secular) State Secretary M G Hegde said that the Corporation had been evicting the street vendors on grounds that they were a nuisance to the public as they sold their wares on the pavements. Many rich people and shops have encroached upon the pavements. If the rich could encroach, the street vendors should be allowed to carry on their trade, he said.

Taking exception to remarks made by Mr. Hegde, the DC said that if such an argument was made, there would be no question of meeting. “We will go by the rules. Other members of the Samiti intervened at this juncture and diffused the heated exchange.”

Protest

The Samiti earlier staged a protest against the Chief Whip of the Mangalore City Corporation Council Sudhir Shetty and alleged that Mr. Shetty was at the forefront of the exploitation of street vendors.