Human Chain Held at Balipara Market

Human Chain Held at Balipara Market G.M. Adol Pirojpur District Correspondent. A human chain was held at Balipara Hat in Zianagar Upazila of Pirojpur district protesting an alleged unusual increase in the lease fees for market stalls(hat bazar bhiti).According to local traders, the lease fee for a market stall, which was previously fixed at Tk 260, has now been increased to Tk 6,000 for the same stall. The sharp increase has reportedly put small traders in a difficult situation, with many fearing that they may have to shut down their businesses because they cannot afford the increased lease fee. Affected small traders and local residents organized the human chain at Balipara Market demanding a reduction in the lease fees.At the human chain, the traders said they are low-income small business owners and that the sudden and substantial increase in lease fees has made it almost impossible for them to continue their businesses. They said the increased cost could force them to close their long-standing businesses, creating financial hardship for their families.The traders appealed to the District Commissioner to consider their financial circumstances and livelihoods and either restore the lease fee to the previous rate of Tk 260 or reduce it to an affordable level.They urged the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to resolve the issue and protect the livelihoods of small traders at Balipara Market.