Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Aug 28: The small rehari owners and other business community members in Ramkote and Nagrota have taken the authorities to task for snatching their bread and butter on the name of so-called anti encroachment drive.
Criticising the administration they alleged that the anti-encroachment drive launched by tehsil administration Ramkot turned a farce as only the poor kiosk owners have been targeted while some influential shopkeepers and business men who have also encroached upon the Government land, have been spared for the reasons best known to them.
Over 1000, kiosks have been removed by Tehsil administration Ramkot in the alleged anti-encroachment drive launched by it while it (administration) has a soft approach towards the wealthy shopkeepers.
The softness shown by tehsil administration towards the wealthy shopkeepers and members of business community is a cause of concern as the small kiosk owners have been deprived of their bread and butter by removing their Kiosks. The kiosk owners alleged, marvel sheets and other hardware material could be found thrown outside on Government land, while some residential houses have been constructed by encroaching the road which is a Government land but same remained untouched in the anti-encroachment drive.
Besides, the fast food shops, schools and other business establishments were not touched while the poor people have been harassed and their bread and butter was snatched by the administration.
This shows the anti poor attitude of tehsil administration and the kiosk owners have made an appeal to Governor seeking his intervention in the matter and justice for them.
When contacted Tehsildar Ramkote, Rahul Basotra said that the administration will show no let up in its drive and all encroachments will be removed in the area. He said there is no question of showing leniency to any one how influential he may be and authorities have served them an ultimatum to shift their goods and other material failing which the administration will be forced to remove the same.
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