Report and pics by Alok S
Team Mangalorean

Mangalore: Speaking to mediapersons in the press club here on Thursday, June 7, CITU district president Sunil Kumar Bajal said that it had come to his notice that the 'pani puri' vendors had to pay bribe to MCC officials to run their business.

He said, "Looking back, these vendors have been doing this business smoothly over the past fifteen years and the MCC never took any money from them. I am surprised that the MCC officials are now taking money from the vendors. According to one Ashraf from Urva Store market, an unidentified group of 4-5 members, posing as officials,  were found collecting money from the vendors and when an attempt was made to take action against them, the group fled the scene."

There are about 150 vendors of panipuri and bhelpuri across the city, and now because of the confusion created, they are in losses. Speaking about the certain vendors who had violated the MCC rules, he questioned as to why should all others be penalized for the sake of a sole violator.

Having said that, he has requested the MCC to help the vendors resume their business in an organized manner.

CITU Vice President Rajendra, Mohammed Mustafa and Santhosh Kumar were also present.