Bali Jatra 2017: Aadhaar mandatory for setting up stalls

Cuttack: After increasing stall rentals for this year’s Bali Jatra, the district administration has now decided to make Aadhaar mandatory for setting up stalls during the festival.

The decision to ensure compulsory ID proof submission during stall booking is aimed at eliminating multiple registrations by single vendor and illegal profiteering by selling the plots at a higher rate to third parties.

Briefing media, Cuttack Sadar Tehsildar, Sanjiveeta Ray said “After detailed analysis of collected information we will see if leaseholders are sub-letting their plots to third parties. Then only appropriate legal action will be taken against them. As a precautionary measure, the vendors have been asked to furnish ID proof especially Aadhaar for booking of stalls,” she said.

Earlier, the administration had also announced to hike the stall rentals for traders by Rs 2 per square feet. Stalls will now cost Rs 24 square feet this year compared to Rs 22 last year.

The historic annual festival will start from November 4 and continue till November 11. It will be held in two grounds adjacent to Mahanadi embankment covering an area of 47 acres including 37 acres of lower ground and 10 acres of upper ground.

Elsewhere in Paradip, the ground breaking ceremony for the week-long Kalinga Bali Jatra at Biju Maidan was held. The festival will begin on November 3 and continue till November 9.