STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Jammu, on Friday expressed resentment against the unethical enhancement of rent of properties allotted to shopkeepers.
President CCI Arun Gupta, in a communique sent to Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson J&K Waqf Board Jammu, apprised her that the Auqaf Department had allotted shops in 1984-85 on a fixed rent basis in various locations of Jammu.
From the last three decades, a fixed rent on these properties was charged with 10 per cent increase after every 3 years, he said adding that this practice of revising rent after every 3 years was suddenly done with after 4th Meeting of J&K Waqf Board held on July 21, 2022 in terms of the Rent Recommendation Committee 2015-16.
The occupants are being served with notices where in the user charges have been enhanced at exorbitant rates contrary to the laid down provisions or enhancement in lease Rent Agreements, Arun said adding that this decision has led to the steep hike of rent @ 500 per cent to 1100 per cent which is totally illogical and unethical.
CCI President further apprised the Chairperson Waqf Board that the small businesses are just struggling to recover from the successive setbacks occurred due to abrogation Article 370, lockdown of business due to Covid 19 and discontinuance of Darbar move.
Besides most of the businesses are under heavy debts of loans from banks and all are trying to come out of these slums, he added.
“The decision taken by the Waqf Board is arbitrary and beyond the scope of stakeholders majority of whom small shopkeepers having their shops in congested bye lanes and markets. The payment of rent at such a hike is beyond their capacity and available sources of income,” he said.
Arun Gupta appealed to the Chairperson of J&K Waqf Board to sympathetically reconsider the decision of increase of rent and take steps for review of same by taking into confidence all the parties involved.
Office bearers of CCI present in the meeting include Anil Gupta, Sr. Vice President, Rajeev Gupta, Jr. Vice President, Gaurav Gupta, Secretary General, Rajesh Gupta, Secretary and Rajesh Gupta Treasurer.
