CUTTACK: The Cuttack district administration has increased the rent for stalls above 4,000 sq ft size at the Baliyatra, which will start on November 23. The price has been increased from Rs 32 per sq ft to Rs 43 per sq ft. These traders have to take the permission of the collector and disclose the nature of business at the fair.The Baliyatra Traders Association has demanded a rollback in the hike and stall allotment could not start on Saturday due to the protest. For stalls smaller than 4,000 sq feet, the rent is Rs 33 per sq ft.Sukant Mohanty , secretary of the association said, "We demand immediate rollback of the hike. On Friday, the collector had agreed that no permission is required for stalls above 4,000 sq ft but the decision changed a day later. We have to take many clearances like from the fire department tehsil office, CMC and police". "There are 1,500 traders in association. There should be uniform price for all stalls like it was earlier," added Mohanty.Traders are also very upset. "Only 12 days are left for the fair and the administration is yet to distribute plots to us. We have to build the stalls and put up the tent," said Shiva Shankar Mohapatra, a traders. "If the administration does not take immediate steps, I don't think I will be able to put up my stall," Mohapatra.The district administration will soon call a meeting of traders and discuss the issue with them, additional district magistrate Harish Nayak.

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