Bhatkal: The municipality-owned shops auction was held amidst police security despite turmoil and strong opposition by the current shopkeepers on Saturday. Out of 109 shops, 39 shops were auctioned.

A peace meeting was held ahead of the auction by the Zilla Additional SP Devraj in the presence of Assistant Commissioner Chidananda Watare at Circuit House.

At the meeting, the shopkeepers requested for the auction to stop. They said that some shopkeepers are dependent on the municipal-owned shops for their livelihood and auctioning might render them unemployed. They appealed that the shops be retained to the previous owners by increasing the rent. Venkatesh Naik, Krishna Naik Asarkeri and others voiced their concern that, presently, 72 lakhs along with the penalty was collected by the shopkeepers. Those people will bear the brunt if the shops are auctioned, they said. 

They further objected that the decision taken in municipalty meeting has no value and the previous contract was handled in a discriminating manner.

The officials stated that the auction was held as per the Order of the High Court and it was not possible to change it but there will be reservation for disabled and backward communities. A stern warning was also given that if the auction is interrupted, strict legal actions will be taken against those individuals. 

Chief engineer of Karwar development department RP Naik, ASP Dr. Anup Kumar Shetty, Municipal Chief Officer Ramesh, CPI Suresh Nayak and others were present at the meeting. 

The remaining  shops will be auctioned on Monday: 

Since the auction could not be completed on Saturday, it was decided the remaining shops will be auctioned on Monday, 22nd August. Officers have informed that the applicants should be present at the town hall at 10 am on Monday morning.

It was also reported that 37 out of 39 shops were retained to the current owners on Saturday but the police security was kept in advance to stop any untoward incident from taking place.