Pune: The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) has sent closure notices to 12 prominent restaurants in the Camp area for using leased land for residential land for commercial purpose.
The notice stated that if these establishments fail to submit valid court order, they will be closed down in the next three months. This recent development has confused restaurant owners as they are running their business for more than 30 years now.
Some owners have a copy of a document stating that it's a commercial place and the land can be used commercially. Some are clueless about what can be done to deal with this situation.
DN Yadav, Chief Executive Officer of PCB, said, "We have sent notices to these establishments after examining all legal aspects. According to our data, these restaurants are running their business on residential defence land which should be solely used for residential purpose. Due to the commercial use of the property, garbage issue, congestion on road, traffic-related issues are being created."
Some restaurant owners from among the 12 have a different stand. Behram Zaheb, owner of Bagban Restaurant, said, "We are running our business for 31 years now. We got licence to run our restaurant from PCB in 2006. Also I have a document given to me by the Board, stating that we can run the restaurant on this piece of land and it is a commercial land. How can they suddenly come up to us, saying that the land is a residential defence land and no commercial business should be carried out over here? I will be soon going to the Board office carrying all the legal documents with me and seeking justice for the same."
Other restaurant owners are in fear as they do not know what could be done in this situation. Some of the owners are reluctant to talk about the issue. Anis Somjee, owner of Badshah Cold Drink Annexe and Snacks Bar, said, "We are running our business from 1988 and before we started our restaurant, there was some other business which was carried out at the same place. I do not understand how is this a residential land when there was a business being carried out here before us. We too have got a licence from PCB. We will be soon going to the Board's office to clarify the confusion."
The restaurants
Restaurants include Ramkrishna Resort, Grand Hotel and Restaurant, Chindhy Napier Hotel Pvt Ltd, Cafe Diamond Queen and Kabir's Restaurant at Moledina Road; Zenith Hotel and Restaurants, Badshah Cold Drink Annexe and Snacks Bar, Supreme Caterers and Snack Counter at Dr Coyaji Road; Royal Western India Turf Club at Arjun Marg Race Course; Vardhana Associates at Solapur Bazaar; and Kwality Restaurant on East Street.
