HC keen on not more than 900 shops on Marina Beach

A division bench comprising Justices Vineet Kothari and R Suresh Kumar offered the clarification in response to the counsels for street vendors bringing to the attention of the court that identity cards have not been issued to some of the street vendors who are already vending at the Marina Beach and how even they should be allowed to apply for allotment of carts/shops for the lot of 900 carts in accordance with the publication made.

The bench in its interim direction held that such relaxation of this condition in the proposed publication cannot be granted.

“However, we leave it open to those intending applicants to apply to the Municipal Corporation for identity cards. If any such applications are made by the parties concerned, the Municipal Corporation shall consider the applications and dispose of all such applications on or before March 15 and either issue the identity cards or refuse the same, by assigning reasons,” the bench said.

Additional Advocate General S R Rajagopal also informed the bench that application for allotment of 900 carts will be published by the Chennai Corporation on Wednesday and e-tenders will also be published the same day for finalising the contract with the supplier for the supply of 900 carts worth Rs 16.47 crore, including 18 per cent GST.

He also informed the court that a monthly rent of Rs 1000 per cart, maintenance charge of Rs 200 per month and annual licence fee of Rs 3000 for carts with motors and Rs 1,500 for carts without motors as proposed will be incorporated in the proposed application form itself so that applicants are aware of the terms and conditions to be complied with.

As regarding the Loop Road development, the bench recorded the submission of the Additional Advocate General seeking two days’ time for holding consultations with the CRZ authority and make suitable application for seeking relaxation of their requirement of production of the map of the said area, on the scale of 1:4000 for the time being.

Rajagopal also told the court that the survey for preparation of such a map has already been started by the Corporation and the said scale will be submitted to the CRZ in due course.