Migrant hawkers selling goods sans bills in Kullu to face action

Kullu SDM Vikas Shukla today said migrant hawkers or ‘pheriwalas’ would not be allowed to sell their goods without issuing proper purchase bills and invoices in the district.

In a meeting with members of the Devbhoomi Jagaran Manch (DJM), the SDM appealed to the members against resorting to vigilantism in such cases and inform the administration and authorities concerned. “Double penalty will be imposed on the hawkers evading tax and the excise and taxation authorities have been issued necessary directions to keep a check,” he added.

The SDM said soon a meeting would be held with all stakeholders on these issues and a WhatsApp group would be formed to communicate about such irregularities. “Yuvak Mandals, Mahila Mandals and self-help groups will also be involved to inform about movement of such ‘pheriwalas’,” he added. He asked people to insist on bill for purchases made from the ‘pheriwalas’.

The SDM said the police and excise departments would also look into the issue of warehouses allegedly storing products without paying taxes and appropriate action would be taken. He said the complaints about private moneylenders charging a hefty 5 per cent interest daily would also be looked into.

Residents had expressed concern over illegal sale of goods by the ‘pheriwalas’ by evading taxes. This was causing losses to local businessmen, they had added.

Meanwhile, some residents have demanded that the migrant hawkers should not be allowed to sell local dishes like momos, siddus and kachoris, as they were defaming the local food by spoiling its original form.