The Members of the Jharsuguda Municipality Shops Association felicitated former MLA Sushree Dipali Das, Municipality Chairperson Smt. Rani Hati and Municipal Councillors for addressing their long-pending concerns over enhanced shop rent. The programme was held at the conference hall of Hotel Mohini Royal.
The shopkeepers had raised concerns over the demand for arrear rent with effect from April 1, 2022, at the proposed rates of Rs. 10 per sq. ft. for ground-floor shops, Rs. 7 per sq. ft. for first-floor shops and Rs. 5 per sq. ft. for second-floor shops, as against the existing rent of Rs. 300 per month. They cited the proposed increase as excessive and expressed concern over the resulting financial burden on shopkeepers.
Following the intervention of Sushree Dipali Das, along with the district administration, Municipality Chairperson and Councillors, the matter was considered by the Municipal Council. The council unanimously resolved that arrear rent would be realised at the old rate of Rs. 300 per month up to March 2026. From April 01st, 2026, a uniform fixed rent of Rs. 1,000 per month would be applicable to all municipal shops, irrespective of their floor or area. The decision replaces the earlier floor-wise, square-feet-based rent structure. Relief for municipal shopkeepers as the earlier floor-wise, square-feet-based rent structure is replaced with a fixed monthly rent of Rs. 1,000/-, effective from April 01, 2026. Welcoming the decision, the association expressed gratitude to the former MLA, Chairperson, Councillors and District Administration for considering the difficulties faced by small shopkeepers.
The programme was attended by Mr. Hrish Gantra, former Chairperson of Jharsuguda Municipality and District President, Biju Janata Dal; Mr. Sandeep Awasthy, Senior Advocate and Town President, Biju Janata Dal; Mr. Pillah Ram Mohan Rao, Senior Advocate, Jharsuguda; Mr. Minazul Abedin, President, Minority Community; and councillors Mr. G. Ramana Rao, Mr. Pawan Sharma, Ms. Navneet Kaur, Ms. Madhusmita Subnil, Ms. Neeta Rani Sha, Ms. Geetanjali Panda, Mr. Sukun Lakra, Ms. Basanti Toppo, Ms. Babita Ranbida and Ms. Jharna Bhoi. Several municipal shopkeepers, public representatives and members of the association, including Vimal Verma, Sanjay Basak, Krishan Sahu, Ajit Soni, Raju Srivas and Ramesh Bhai, were also present.
The meeting was presided over by Mr. Naveen Mishra, while Mr. Dinesh Soni and Anwar Ali proposed the vote of thanks. The shopkeepers expressed appreciation for the resolution, stating that it would provide relief to small traders dependent on municipal shops for their livelihood.
