JNU asks canteen owners to clear dues, vacate premises by June 30

JNU asks canteen owners to clear dues, vacate premises by June 30

27.06.2022

New Delhi : The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration has asked owners of several canteens and dhabas at the campus to clear their dues amounting to lakhs of rupees and vacate the varsity premises by June 30, alleging that their shops were allocated “without following due tender procedure”.

In a notice to several canteen owners dated June 22, the varsity's Joint Registrar (Estate) M K Pachauri asked them to clear all the outstanding dues against them within seven days of the issuance of the letter. Baffled shop owners are fearful of losing their livelihoods and are also finding it difficult to arrange the money to pay the dues. According to them, as many as 10 canteens/dhabas/Xerox shops at the campus have been served these notices. The university said the person will be liable for eviction proceedings as per the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971 if he fails to comply with the notice. “. . . . is hereby directed to clear the outstanding dues against him within 7 days, from the date of issue of this letter,” the notice read. Speaking to PTI,

JNU Rector Ajay Dubey clarified that the notices have been served to those shop owners who have not paid rent and electricity bills “for a long time”, adding that many shops were not allocated with due procedure. A canteen owner, who has been served a notice, said the administration is asking for Rs 10 lakh as the outstanding rent and electricity bills from him. “I come from a poor economic background.

I and my brother are the only earning members and our livelihood is dependent on this canteen. How can I pay Rs 10 lakh? They should have demanded monthly or annual dues. How can we pay Rs 10 lakh in one go? Even if we pay, there is no guarantee they will let us stay,” said the canteen owner, who did not wish to be named. Protesting against the move, the left-affiliated AISA alleged the administration wants these canteen owners to vacate the premises as they are planning to bring big multinational companies to serve on the campus. PTI