26072026-LT-01.qxd 25-07-2026 22:12 Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune » TRIBUNE REAL ESTATE EXPO OPENS AMID GREAT RESPONSE INSIDE » RAJASTHAN MAN HELD IN ~2.5-CR FRAUD CASE INSIDE SUNDAY | 26 JULY 2026 | LUDHIANA Move to up fee targets for hawkers sparks debate on encroachments Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 25 The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation’s decision to set revenue collection targets for street vendors has sparked questions over its antiencroachment policy, with officials now reportedly being asked to collect more tehbazari (hawking) fee, even as the civic body continues its drive against roadside encroachments. According to sources, during a meeting of the tehbazari branch held on July 17, the Municipal Commissioner had directed all four civic zones to collect Rs 10 lakh each in tehbazari revenue within 15 days. Earlier, each zone reportedly generated only around Rs 6 to 7 lakh in a month, making the new target significantly higher. Officials said the enhanced target has led to fee collection even from locations where no revenue was earlier being generated. Hawkers are reportedly being charged around Rs 1,500 for carts without a canopy and up to Rs 2,500 for covered carts. In several areas, vendors are allegedly being allowed to resume business along roads after paying the prescribed fee. The development has led to criticism as the civic body had recently conducted drives to remove roadside Illegal carts stationed alongside a road at Ghumar Mandi in Ludhiana on Saturday. PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN vendors from busy markets and roads to ease traffic congestion. Residents and social activists argue that allowing vendors to return after collecting the fee defeats the purpose of the anti-encroachment campaign. Sources also said employees of the tehbazari branch raised the issue of political interference during the meeting, claiming that some vendors were exempted from paying fee on the recommendation of certain political leaders. The Commissioner reportedly instructed officials to issue receipts to every vendor operating on the roadside, irrespective of recom- mendations. Officials estimate that this decision alone could increase tehbazari revenue by around Rs 2 lakh to 2.5 lakh. Busy locations such as Mata Rani Chowk, Janakpuri, Chaura Bazar, Kitab Bazaar, Field Ganj, Benjamin Road, Salem Tabri, Chandigarh Road, Hargobind Nagar, Jawahar Nagar Camp and parts of Haibowal already witness heavy roadside vending, leaving little room for vehicles and pedestrians. Traffic experts believe that any increase in roadside vendors without proper planning could worsen congestion and affect emergency movement. Municipal officials clarified that payment of tehbazari fee does not grant vendors permanent rights over a location. If complaints are received or the site is found to be obstructing traffic, the vendor can still be removed despite having paid the fee. The issue has also revived concerns over the delay in establishing dedicated vending zones under the Street Vendors Act. Former Senior Deputy Mayor and councillor Sham Sunder Malhotra said the civic body should shift vendors to properly planned vending zones, instead of allowing them to occupy roadsides. He said such a policy could increase congestion in densely populated localities and hamper the movement of ambulances and emergency vehicles. “Revenue generation should not come at the cost of public safety and smooth traffic movement,” he said. MC Commissioner Ojasvi Alankar said, “ It is composition fee collected after antiencroachment drive. Besides, we are also holding meetings over establishing vending zones.” Meanwhile, despite repeated attempts, tehbazari wing in-charge and Assistant Commissioner, MC, Jasdev Sekhon was not available for comments. c m y b Woman cop alleges drugging, repeated sexual assault by Sudhar SHO in FIR Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 25 Following the registration of a rape case against the SHO of Sudhar police station, Sub-Inspector Sahibmeet Singh, the perusal of the FIR registered at Dakha police station has made startling revelations. The FIR, a copy of which is with the Ludhiana Tribune, states how a friendship that developed through social media became a cause of suffering for the woman cop, who was allegedly sexually harassed repeatedly. “In 2023, I got introduced to Sahibmeet, a resident of Sundar Nagar, Ludhiana, on social media. He had called me to meet him in Mullanpur in November 2023. He took me to hotel in Mullanpur on the pretext of offering me tea and water, but instead gave me a cold drink. After having it, I became unconscious. I regained consciousness after about two hours and saw that I had no clothes on my body. He made me drink some narcotic substance mixed with a cold drink and forcibly had sex against my will,” the victim has stated in the FIR. She further mentions that, “On confronting Sahibmeet about this, he said that he had made obscene videos of me, and if I made any noise, he would make continued on page 2 FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY, RAIN MAX 33°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 26°C SUNSET SUNDAY 7.25 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 5.40 AM » YASH OPENS UP ABOUT PLAYING RAVANA INSIDE