Shopkeepers Oppose Rent Hike, Gherao Rourkela Development Authority Office

Rourkela: Hundreds of tenants who have been allotted commercial spaces and shops today gheraoed the office of the Rourkela Development Authority (RDA) in Uditnagar area opposing a hike in rent.

The agitating members of RDA Shop Owners’ Association held a meeting and demanded immediate rollback of the decision to hike rent. The tenants questioned the sudden hike in rent after two years and threatened to continue their protest till their demand is not fulfilled.

Vice President of RDA Shop Owners’ Association, Bijay Pradhan said, "They have increased the rent all of a sudden and the rates are set without any consultation. We are ready to pay more but not this much."

After getting information about the protest, Sundergarh collector Nikhil Pawan Kalyan said that he will launch an investigation.

"There was a need for a hike, but I will look into the reason why there is opposition. Soon, we will find a solution," the Sundergarh collector said.