Manish Market repaired, balance fund returned to shop owners

The managing committee of Manish Market, which was reduced to ashes two years ago, has recently refunded the balance repair money that was collected from the shopkeepers. When there was a shortage of money during the repair and redevelopment work, some shopkeepers had contributed to the fund.   

Haroon Merchant, secretary of the managing committee, is not only happy that the market is standing tall and has regained lost business, the committee has been able to refund the balance amount to the shopkeepers, who had open-heartedly helped the committee.

“We decided in the annual general body meeting that we will return Rs300 per sq ft to all those shopkeepers, who had volunteered to help us. I didn’t want anyone to point a finger at me that I kept their money with the committee. People generously supported us when we needed it. Now, since we have the claim and the funds, it is our duty to refund their money,” said Merchant.

Manish Market has 156 shops and 280 members. “We have ensured that the members get the best facilities in the new premises,” said Merchant, who clearly remembers the night of November 26, 2011, when the shopping centre caught fire. Merchant had rushed to Manish Market, after he received a call at 3.40am.

“After relentless efforts, we managed to get the claim of more than Rs75 lakh,” said Merchant.

Shahid Ansari, who has four shops, said, “I have received the cheques for all my shops. The new building has more space for customers and is more organised.”