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Noida may start sealing of ‘illegal’ banks from today
The Noida Authority has issued a public notice warning commercial establishments running from residential areas — including banks and nursing homes — to immediately stop activities, and plans to seal such properties from Friday.
The Noida Authority has issued a public notice warning commercial establishments running from residential areas — including banks and nursing homes — to immediately stop activities, and plans to seal such properties from Friday.
"We will begin a sealing drive from Friday. Roughly, 104 banks' branches, 60 nursing homes, and 50,000 other establishments, including more than 250 showrooms, will face action. ATMs will remain unaffected. Some units began shifting on their own on Wednesday. The Supreme Court has already summoned the authority CEO once. We cannot take chances," said an official.
A top official said apart from banks and nursing homes that run from residential premises, industrial plot allottees have also let out their premises for such activities. "The notice is also a warning to such allottees," said the official.
The Supreme Court had on December 4 ruled that all commercial establishments operating from residential premises must move out in two months.
But on Monday, the court told the authority to allot plots and ensure that all banks that will be displaced are shifted to commercial premises in six weeks.
The authority on Wednesday did announce a land scheme for 104 branches of various banks currently operating out of residential premises.
But Thursday's public notice, asking banks and other commercial activities in residential areas to stop activities immediately, has come as a shock.
Arun Kumar, representative of all affected banks, said, "This is double standard. After announcing a relocation plan for banks, the authority is now threatening to seal residential premises housing banks and other commercial establishments. We will move the Supreme Court to seek a stay. The court has given us six weeks to shift. The court had assured we can get more time if needed."
Commercial establishments in several residential sectors, including 12, 22, 19, 20, 27, 40, 41 and 55, may face action.
