Lucknow: In a crucial meeting between the General Manager of the Jal Kal Department, Kuldeep Singh, and traders, Sandeep Bansal, National President of the All India Industry and Trade Union and former Minister of Uttar Pradesh, made a strong statement. He clarified that traders who use water at their shops will be responsible for paying their bills. However, traders who do not have water connections and do not use water at their establishments will not be held liable for payments. The All India Industry and Trade Union will support the Jal Kal Department in collecting payments from those who use water but will oppose charges for unconnected shops.
During the meeting with the General Manager of the Jal Kal Department, representatives from over two dozen markets in Lucknow raised concerns about significant irregularities in the bills issued by the department. They demanded that the Jal Kal Department revise these bills.
Sandeep Bansal highlighted the outdated nature of the 1975 law that requires traders to pay for water usage if pipelines are located within 100 meters of their shops, even if they are not using water. He stated that this law is no longer relevant and assured that he would meet with the concerned minister and the Chief Minister soon to address the issue. He further emphasized that no trader should face harassment or pressure from the department during this time and requested that no pressure be exerted on traders for at least three months.
Bansal also suggested that the Jal Kal Department organize camps in all zones to help entrepreneurs, including restaurant owners who use water, to make their payments. The trade union will assist these entrepreneurs in settling their bills.
The meeting was attended by prominent members of the All India Industry and Trade Union, including Suresh Chhablani, President of the Lucknow City Branch, Anuj Gautam, General Secretary, Rajesh Gupta, Vice President, Javed Beg, State Organizational Secretary, Akash Gautam, State Youth General Secretary, Ashwan Verma, City Youth President, Shubham Maurya, Youth General Secretary, Lalit Saxena, Youth District President, Social Media In-Charge Sanjay Nidhi Agarwal, Dr. Manohar Gupta, and Aditya Rathore.
