Flower merchants to go on strike at K R Market

BANGALORE: The flower vendors of the K R Market area are holding a protest alleging that Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has allotted illegal areas in the Market building. The protest is expected to take place between 12 noon and 4 pm on Monday.According to the flower shop owners, fire exits and passages meant for the public have been blocked. They also claim that these shops have been allotted by the BBMP, though a stay order against this move has been brought by the flower vendors organisation. “Shops have been allotted when they are not supposed to do so. The BBMP has to issue a tender. They have  also given permission to establish shops in passages and dumping areas,” says Anil,  a shop owner at K R Market. Chandru, another vendor says, “They have given the accelerator space to build 14 new shops. The accelerator is meant for air circulation and light. The conditions will get worse if that area is blocked. There will be no air after the new buildings are built.”But those who have newly-occupied the shops have a different version to tell. T Ramakrishna, owner of a newly-built shop says, “I opened the shop 15 days back. I have been asked to pay `5,000 every month. This is  is more than what others pay. This space has been allotted by the BBMP and I have proof for it.”