Srinagar, Oct 19: The shopkeepers in Habbakadal on Thursday found themselves at odds with the WAQF (Welfare of Auqaf and Religious Affairs) administration over a sharp increase in their monthly rent. The dispute escalated to the extent that authorities had sealed five shops for failing to meet the new rental demands. However, following negotiations, the WAQF chairperson allowed the shops to reopen after the overdue rent was paid.
The shopkeepers expressed their anger with the WAQF administration, claiming they had not received any prior notice of shop seizure. They highlighted that the recent increase amounted to a staggering 500 percent in some cases, making it unaffordable in the current economic climate.
One shopkeeper, speaking anonymously, revealed that their monthly rent had surged from Rs. 2,400 to over Rs. 10,000. While the shopkeepers were not against a reasonable rent increase, they insisted on a fair and just approach. Some shopkeepers had operated in the area for six decades without contesting the WAQF Board’s claims until this recent decision, which they believe jeopardizes their interests.
The challenging business environment, exacerbated by economic downturns and loans taken from banks, left many shopkeepers financially strained. Some had even slipped into the non-performing asset (NPA) category, making it almost impossible for them to accommodate such a significant rent increase.
The Chairperson of the WAQF Board Dr Daraksha Andrabi highlighted that they had received the overdue rent from the shopkeepers and emphasized the importance of timely rent payments to enable the WAQF to fulfill its functions. She also revealed that approximately Rs. 9 lakhs were pending in rent from these shopkeepers, pledging to work toward resolving the matter in the coming days.
