Even after the directions from the Punjab and Haryana high court to frame a policy regarding sale and purchase of second-hand cars at the biggest car bazaar of the region in Sector 7 here, the municipal corporation (MC) committee headed by Sunil Bhatia is still in a fix, and does not seem to be coming up with a concrete solution.
In the minutes of the meetings submitted to MC commissioner Vivek Pratap Singh, the committee has come out with three solutions, including shifting of the present site immediately; to continue at the present site for one year and in the meantime look for an alternative site; and that traders should be given 50% of the parking space so that the members of Chandigarh Business Council (CBC) can also function here.
Now the issue will come up in the House meeting on February 19, as the civic body has to file a reply in the high court before February 28.
Speaking to HT, Bhatia said, "Let the MC House take the final call, as we have already proposed some solutions."
Alleging irregularities in the functioning of the car bazaar, its dealers had moved the Punjab and Haryana high court, after which the court on August 11, 2014, has directed the civic body to frame a policy within three months.
As part of the policy framed in October last year, the finance and contract committee (F&CC) had decided to auction all 60 sites in front of the showrooms in Sector-7 market for a period of two years that could be extended up to three years.
{{/usCountry}}As part of the policy framed in October last year, the finance and contract committee (F&CC) had decided to auction all 60 sites in front of the showrooms in Sector-7 market for a period of two years that could be extended up to three years.
{{/usCountry}}The House, however, deferred the policy in November last year, stating certain gaps in it, while questioning why the car bazaar could not be shifted to another site considering the fact that it was creating a lot of inconvenience to people.
Following this, a committee was formed, and objections against the car bazaar were invited.
CBC president Baldev Goel said, "We have been raising the issue of shifting the car bazaar for the past two decades but to no avail. Now we will be forced to approach the high court if no concrete solution will be provided."
He also said that due to congested place, parking at Sector 7 market- where the car bazaar function - is not spacious as compared to other markets.
"Every Sunday, around 2000 cars stack up behind each other, creating a lot of inconvenience for people,"he said.