Guntur civic body to seal unauthorised shops in Annapurna Complex following High Court orders
Acting on the directions of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, the Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) will seal unauthorised wholesale vegetable trading units operating from the Annapurna Complex on Wednesday if traders fail to vacate voluntarily, said GMC Commissioner Puli Srinivasulu. Addressing a press conference along with Additional Commissioner Challa Obulesu at the GMC office on Tuesday, Srinivasulu clarified that only the Kolli Sarada Wholesale Market was authorised for farmers to sell vegetables. Conducting wholesale trade on the national highway service road or in non-permitted areas like Annapurna Complex is illegal, he asserted. The Commissioner noted that GMC had conducted transparent open auctions for 81 expired shop leases at Kolli Sarada Market, increasing annual revenue from around ₹81 lakh to nearly ₹6 crore.Despite this, some traders, with external support, continued illegal business operations along the highway in the Annapurna Complex, which lacks occupancy certificates and has over ₹3 crore in pending vacant land tax. Mr. Srinivasulu stated that notices were issued to the complex management, and the High Court directed them to vacate by October 10. As the court denied their plea for an extension, GMC will proceed with sealing the premises in compliance with the order. “No one is above the law,” he said, warning strict action against violations.
