HC stays resolution on auction of shops in Dindigul

Madurai: The Madras high court on Wednesday granted interim stay on the resolution passed by Dindigul mayor pertaining to the auction of 34 shops in Kamarajar bus stand in Dindigul city.A division bench of justice R Subramanian and justice L Victoria Gowri directed the commissioner of Dindigul corporation to appear before the court on March 20. The shops already allotted by auction shall be sealed.The court was hearing the public interest litigation filed by G Dhanabalan, councillor of ward 14 of Dindigul corporation. The petitioner stated that there are 34 shops inside the bus stand. As per the resolution passed in the council meeting, rent has been fixed as 28,000 per month for each shop.He stated that the auction should be conducted in a transparent manner by following the provisions under the Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tenders Act, 1998.Dhanabalan stated that there were only 47 participants for the tenders for 34 shops. The rent fixed was lesser than the rent fixed as per the resolution.He stated that no publication was made in the newspapers regarding the auction and the councillors had no knowledge about the auction. Hence, the petitioner moved the HC Madurai bench seeking to quash the resolution passed by the mayor and to conduct a fresh auction.