Mira-Bhayandar: The agitation launched by physically challenged stall owners to register their protest against notices issued to them by the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has yet again put the spotlight on the contentious issue of drafting a proper stall allotment policy for the twin-city.

The physically challenged stall owners had launched an agitation under the aegis of “Prahaar” organisation outside the main administrative building of the MBMC in Bhayandar on Wednesday.

Miffed over the insensitive approach of the civic administration by denying them entry into the building, the agitators locked the main entry gate, consequently causing inconvenience to visitors and civic staffers.

The agitators alleged that the civic administration which is least concerned towards the welfare of the physically challenged citizens had now taken an unjustified stand of snatching their means of livelihood by issuing notices with a warning to act their stalls.

“The MBMC has issued notices to 22 stalls run by physically challenged people. Neither the civic administration gives them permission, nor any other opportunity to become self-reliant and command a respectable position in the society. What are these people supposed to do.” questioned Kajal Naik who heads the local unit of “Prahar".

When contacted, a senior engineer attached to MBMC’s estate department said, “We have a provision to accommodate 103 stalls for the physically challenged people. In response to applications invited for 44 vacant spots, 267 applicants came forward out of which 147 were rejected due to non-eleibility. Of the remaining 90 valid applications, a lottery process was held to allot the 44 stalls, the remaining 46 are on the waiting list. Notices have been issued to illegal stalls.”

The agitation was withdrawn after a delegation representing the agitators were allowed to meet deputy municipal commissioner- Kalpita Pimple who assured the needful. With an aim of empowering them with self-employment opportunities, the state and central government authorities have floated various schemes to ensure the welfare of the physically challenged citizens. Awarding permissions to set up stalls/ kiosks through local self-governing bodies is one of them.