Darjeeling MP Raju Bista on Monday visited Bidhan Market, the largest retail market in the city, and demanded the state government grant land leases to most traders.

Over 3,500 shops are running in the market for years. But traders lack rights on the land on which their shops are located. Time and again, traders have approached different quarters, including the Siliguri-Jalpaiguri Development Authority which owns the market land, for their land rights.

Traders have decided to observe a business strike on August 16 in protest.

On Monday, BJP MP Bista and some party colleagues went to this market set up in the early 1960s and met members of Bidhan Market Byabsayee Samiti to discuss the issue of their land rights.

“As shopkeepers do not have permanent rights, a section of politicians and their operatives continue to harass them. The Bengal government should provide them with permanent patta for their shops so that they can do business with dignity. It is disappointing that so far no initiative has been taken by the state government on this issue,” said the MP.

According to him, Bidhan Market was set up on around 9.5 acres. In 1967, 2 acres were leased out. Again, in 1981, a building was constructed where 160 shops were permanently leased out.

“However, as of now, there are 1,650 shops, the owners of which are yet to receive permanent lease. Another 2,000 small shops run in the market, and they too don’t have any legal security. Most shopkeepers are old settlers, here since 1962,” added Bista.

In 1984, the market was handed over to the SJDA for development.

“But no development was done," alleged the BJP MP. "I will also speak to the (Bengal) governor (C.V. Ananda Bose) on the issue and seek his intervention,” Bista added.

SJDA chairman Sourav Chakraborty said they had also spoken with the traders of the market. “We are exploring all options to resolve the issue," Chakraborty said. "The state government is sincere about helping the traders," he added.