KOLKATA: Residents across Kolkata undertaking repairs or painting of their houses, flats or business establishments have welcomed mayor Firhad Hakim’s assurance that action would be taken against those who are harassing citizens by asking them to seek permission for such regular and routine work.
According to Amitava Bose, a resident of an upscale south Kolkata neighbourhood, he decided to paint the exterior of his three-storey building a few months ago and hired labourers to set up a scaffolding. At this point, some youths hanging around the local councillor turned up at his doorstep and wanted to see the KMC permission for such work. When Bose couldn’t show it, they demanded money. Out of frustration, Bose chose to suspend the paint work.
