Jammu Development Authority seals 61 shops

Jammu, Oct 7: In a major crackdown, Jammu Development Authority (JDA) has sealed 61 shops of defaulters who owe rent worth lakhs to the department. The team of JDA on Friday launched the crackdown on the defaulters and got the survey completed wherein chronic rent defaulters have been identified who owe lakhs of rupees as outstanding rent and have also violated the terms and conditions of lease deed. Vice Chairman JDA, Rajesh Kumar Sharvan, ordered for the closure of defaulting establishments following which 61 shops were sealed. Majority of shops were being misused in illegal manner, without paying any rent to the JDA, he said and added that in certain cases, the monthly rent of Rs 37 per shop fixed has not been revised due to the deep-rooted nexus and even this petty amount has not been paid to the JDA by the defaulter shopkeepers. The Vice Chairman said that certain shopkeepers who were supposed to vacate the shops owing to their shifting and allotment at Narwal Bus Stand have been illegally allowed to have unauthorized possession at Ware House. ‘’Some of the shopkeepers had sold the JDA property at their own by taking crores of rupees without the consent and approval of JDA,’’ said Mr Sharvan. The JDA last week also launched similar operation and sealed one restaurant against whom more than 50 lakh rent was overdue. UNI