A video allegedly showing members of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) collecting money from shops operating along the pavements at the Salem New Bus Stand has gone viral on social media.
The allegations have surfaced amid repeated complaints about encroachments by pavement shops at the bus stand and the Salem Corporation’s recent drives to remove such encroachments.
According to reports, the Salem Corporation received continuous complaints about encroachment by shops at the New Bus Stand. Following this, an encroachment removal drive was conducted on September 11 under the leadership of Corporation Deputy Commissioner Maheswari.
A second encroachment removal drive was carried out a week later, on September 19. Corporation officials and employees participated in both drives.
During the drives, some traders reportedly approached Corporation officials and alleged that while the civic body was removing encroachments, TVK members were allegedly collecting money directly from them.
The traders reportedly claimed that between ₹200 and ₹1,000 was being collected from shops and that they were able to continue operating only after making the alleged payments. They also reportedly told officials that the payments were one of the reasons they continued to put up shops along the pavements.
However, Corporation officials reportedly denied that any such collection was being carried out by them.
Videos Of Alleged Collection Surface
Against this backdrop, videos allegedly showing TVK members collecting money from pavement shops at the Salem New Bus Stand surfaced on social media last week.
Another set of videos released on social media on Tuesday night allegedly showed collections being made from various pavement shops, including flower shops, footwear shops and mobile phone shops.
Those who shared the videos on social media have demanded immediate action against the individuals allegedly involved in the collection.
The controversy has also emerged amid continuing concerns over pavement encroachments at the bus stand. Although the Corporation has stated that encroaching shops were removed during its drives, shops reportedly continue to occupy pedestrian pathways.
The continued encroachments are causing inconvenience to passengers, with demands being raised for regular monitoring and the removal of shops blocking the pavements.
Social media users have also questioned where the money allegedly collected in the name of TVK is being routed and have called for action against those allegedly involved in the collection.
Meanwhile, concerns over alleged collections have also been reported from the Salem VOC flower market area. Transport Minister Vijay Tamilan Parthiban, who reportedly inspected the area on Tuesday following complaints of alleged collections from traders, has also been urged by members of the public, passengers and social activists to inspect the Salem New Bus Stand and take action against those allegedly involved in such collections.
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