BBMP to shut shops without license in resident zones

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will now shut down commercial establishments in residential areas that do not have trade licenses.

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has directed the officials to shut down units violating the common zoning regulations.

Addressing media persons on Tuesday, Parameshwara said: “We are taking this issue seriously, and I have ordered the BBMP officials to close all commercial establishments that are violating the zonal regulations.”

“We will also look for the officers who have given licenses to unauthorised shopowners in the past few years and have not complied with the zonal regulations,” he added.

“This is a very serious issue. Today I met the residents of Sadashivnagar. They expressed concern about the issue. I know this is also happening in other areas also,” said Parameshwara.

Minister Priyank Kharge was also the part of the meeting.

BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad said: “We will now begin to shut down all establishments violating zoning regulations, and this will happen across the city.”

Meanwhile, a resident of Indiranagar said: “It is interesting that the minister considers this serious only when people like Priyank Kharge and residents of Sadashivnagar are affected. Are others lesser citizens?

Action Taken

The BBMP closed 41 shops violating zoning regulations in residential areas in the west zone on Tuesday.

Officials sealed the shops and also penalised the violators with a fine of Rs 31,000. Polar Bear, an ice-cream parlour, and Avalon, a hair care centre, were among the other shops that faced action.