Prayagraj: The Constitution says transfer cannot be done, but here everything is happening with the tacit consent of the Speaker of the House. The truth revealed during the Municipal Corporation’s House meeting is shocking. Shops that the Municipal Corporation rented out decades ago are now being handed over by the tenants themselves to other tenants—and for substantial sums of money. And the tenants aren’t alone in this entire charade. Some officials from the Raja Mandi Zone Municipal Corporation are also believed to be complicit. Sources indicate that this illegal transfer would be impossible without the officials’ protection.

The biggest question is that the Speaker of the House has remained silent on this entire matter. When the issue was raised in the meeting, he dismissed it. This clearly indicates his tacit approval.

What does the law say? According to the Constitution and the Municipal Corporation Act – No tenant of a municipal property may transfer, sublet, or assign their shop to another person. Doing so is illegal and grounds for termination of the lease. The shop will revert to the municipal corporation.

But here the law is being flouted. The old tenant is charging a premium of 10-15 lakh rupees to bring in a new tenant, and the name remains the same on municipal records.

Many councillors of the House have objected to this and have demanded that –

1. Physical verification of all shops older than 10 years

2. A committee was formed to investigate the illegal transfers at Raja Mandi.

3. The role of the guilty officials and the Speaker of the House should also be investigated.

Now it remains to be seen whether the Municipal Commissioner puts a stop to this reverse Ganga or this game will continue like this.