Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Bhopal Civic House Approves Leases Amid Trader Fee Protest
Bhopal’s city council held a noisy meeting about renting out unused city-owned spaces.
The council approved several rental and lease proposals.
One proposal involved renting part of the Smart City office for Rs 6.98 lakh each month.
Some councillors questioned that plan because BHEL leases the building to the city corporation.
Traders protested outside because they received notices about businesses operating in residential areas.
They also opposed commercial licence fees.
The council agreed to ask the state government to remove the licence fee.
A proposal for women’s hawker stalls near a girls’ college was sent back for more discussion.
The meeting also included arguments about Bhopal’s Master Plan and ongoing legal review of commercial establishments.
Bhopal Municipal Corporation’s council approved leasing and renting several vacant municipal properties by majority vote.
The properties include spaces at New Market, Shahpura, ISBT, Harshvardhan Complex and the Smart City office in BHEL’s Govindpura area.
The Smart City proposal, carrying monthly rent of Rs 6.98 lakh, faced objections because BHEL leases the property to the corporation.
Traders protested BMC notices and commercial licence fees, and the House agreed to send a proposal to the state government seeking abolition of the fee.
The ‘Son Chiraiya’ Hawkers’ Corner proposal was returned for reconsideration after objections about tea and snack stalls near Nutan College.
- Who
- The Bhopal Municipal Corporation council, councillors, traders and Chamber of Commerce president Govind Goyal were involved.
- What
- The council approved municipal property leasing proposals amid protests over commercial licence fees and notices to establishments in residential areas.
- When
- Wednesday; the meeting began about 50 minutes late.
- Where
- The Bhopal Municipal Corporation council venue in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, with proposed properties at New Market, Shahpura, ISBT, Harshvardhan Complex and BHEL, Govindpura.
- Why
- The properties were proposed for lease or rent, while traders sought abolition of commercial licence fees and action against notices concerning alleged illegal commercial activity.
Opposition and Traders
Civic Administration and Supporters
Commercial licence fees and notices
Opposition and Traders
Traders and Congress councillors opposed commercial licence fees and questioned notices issued to establishments for alleged illegal commercial activity. Congress councillors also asked why commercial-related charges had been collected for decades if the activities were now considered illegal.
Civic Administration and Supporters
The council agreed to forward a request to the state government for abolition of the licence fee, while the chairman said the action against illegal establishments was under Supreme Court review and stopped further discussion.
Leasing municipal properties
Opposition and Traders
Opposition Leader Shabista Zaki objected to the Smart City arrangement and cited provisions limiting rental arrangements to 11 months. Jagdish Yadav also sought to reduce the Atal Bhawan lease period from 30 years to two years.
Civic Administration and Supporters
The House approved the leasing and rental proposals by majority vote, including the Smart City space despite objections.
Son Chiraiya Hawkers’ Corner
Opposition and Traders
Congress councillor Yogendra Singh ‘Guddu’ Chauhan opposed tea and snack stalls near Nutan College, citing safety and nuisance concerns. Other councillors suggested using the space for events.
Civic Administration and Supporters
Mayor Malti Rai proposed leasing the space with strict conditions against unlawful activities, while the proposal was sent back to the MIC for reconsideration.
- Decision
- The House approved several vacant-property lease and rental proposals by majority vote.
- Smart City rent
- The proposed monthly rent for the front portion of the Smart City office was Rs 6.98 lakh.
- Lease-period objection
- Opposition Leader Shabista Zaki cited provisions restricting rental arrangements to 11 months.
- Atal Bhawan
- MIC member Jagdish Yadav suggested reducing a proposed 30-year lease to two years.
- Trader demand
- The House agreed to forward a proposal to the state government seeking abolition of the licence fee.
- Legal review
- The chairman said action against illegal commercial establishments was under Supreme Court review.
- Son Chiraiya proposal
- The proposal to rent the women’s hawkers’ corner was returned to the MIC for reconsideration.