Pali Market makeover: Most shop owners in dark

BMC Nod To One Society, But Redevpt By Another     The redevelopment of Bandra's Pali Market has landed in a controversy after it came to light that seven shopkeepers surreptitiously formed a society without the knowledge of the remaining 49. In 2004, the BMC had permitted the redevelopment based on a proposal submitted by the proposed Pali Market Shopkeepers' Cooperative Society, which had the consent of the majority of shop owners.      In 2007, though, seven shop owners formed the Pali Market Shop Keepers' Welfare Society, claiming that its objective was to carry out educational and social activities. Shockingly, the BMC's local building proposals department began to grant permissions to the new society. The majority of shopkeepers kept out of the loop, now fear they will not get shops in the redeveloped market.      At the time of its registration in 2007 under the provisions of the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950, the welfare society informed the assistant charity commissioner that it had nothing to do with the redevelopment. Documents accessed under the Right to Information Act from the charity commissioner's office showed the society said its objectives were "to establish and manage educational, social, sports, cultural and other institutions for welfare and betterment of the members and the public at large''. The documents further stated that its other objectives included helping persons affected by natural calamities. Any owner or occupant of a shop in the vicinity could become a member on paying Rs 300 per year.      The society's registered office address is Nutan Nagar, Bandra West.      Manisha Mhaiskar, additional municipal commissioner, in charge of markets, said the welfare society was formed after the civic improvements committee and the corporation resolution cleared the redevelopment. "We will call for all the papers and inquire into the matter," she said.      Abhijit Rane of Manthan Developers, which was appointed to execute the project, said the welfare society was the only legitimate society and it had all the approvals, including consent from the shopkeepers.      However, a majority of the shopkeepers told TOI that they were unaware of the new society and were yet to get a copy of the agreement signed with the developer. "Last year, the developer promised to return the agreement with his signature within a day but so far we have received neither the agreement copy nor a certified copy of the plan," said Sanjay Khurakte, who sells vegetable from a transit shop. Rane said the agreements have been given to the shop owners.      Only two shopkeepers, Bharat Bhalla and Imran Shaikh, had challenged the formation of the welfare society before the charity commissioner. They said the management of the redeveloped market was not mentioned in its stated objectives in the memorandum of association.      The two shopkeepers had objected saying a corpus fund (of Rs 12 crore) is to be provided by the developers to the proposed society for the market's management. "With the objectives as existing, the trustees will have the powers to dissipate the corpus fund in the pursuit of educational and social activities and consequently the market will be in a shambles,'' they stated in their objections. Members of the proposed welfare society had then told the commissioner that the society had nothing to do with the redevelopment; they were interested only in welfare activities.      "All the objections are with regard to the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1966, and developers of Pali Market. The society has nothing to do with the corpus fund that will be provided by the developer,'' it informed the assistant charity commissioner who then allowed the society to be registered. Division amongst shopkeepers has meant that they have been unable to put up a united fight for their rights. While Maniben Shah, society chairperson, was unavailable for comment, Dinesh Gupta, shopkeeper and society secretary, promised to call back but did not.      It is the four local residents' associations that have been following up with the BMC. Over a month ago, on complaints from local residents, the BMC had issued a stop-work notice to the developer for destroying the roadside drain. It is yet to be reinstated.      Madhu Poplai of the Pali Hill Residents' Association said local residents were in favour of the redevelopment. "But we have four demands. The BMC must ensure the developer gives setback for three roads that abut the market so that they can be widened. It must ensure sufficient parking within the market. All three sides of the market must have a boundary wall as earlier and loading/unloading of goods must be inside the market premises and not on the roads,'' she said. WHAT'S THE PLOT? MARKET AREA 16,110 sq ftTOTAL NUMBER OF LICENSEES Commercial: 59; they occupy around 2,470 sq ft Fisher folk: 20; they occupy around 650 sq ft AFTER THE PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT  BMC's share: 7,200 sq ft Developer's free sale component: 7,200 sq ftMAKEOVER PROPOSED, BUT WHO GAINS FROM IT?      In 2004, BMC cleared proposed Pali Hill Shop Keepers' Coop Society's redevelopment plan      In 2007, 7 shopkeepers formed Pali Hill Shop Keepers' Welfare Society stating they had no interest in the redevelopment. Instead, they were keen on social and educational activities      Since 2010, the BMC's building proposal dept has been approving welfare society construction plans      In June 2011, shopkeepers signed an agreement with Manthan Developers & moved out      In September 2011, residents' association asked the BMC to ensure that the market is built within the plot boundary and the roads are not affected Till date, shop keepers say they have not got a copy of the agreement or individual shop plan  Two shopkeepers spoke up  The society had not mentioned redevelopment as a stated objective, they told the charity commissioner  Residents have their own worries  In August 2012, local residents complained that the plinth work was carried out in the roadside storm water drain & the drain was destroyed  And they have demanded  Setback for three roads that abut the market to enable their widening Sufficient parking space Market must have a boundary wall