Mysuru: District in-charge Minister V. Somanna, bowing to the demand of the roadside and petty shopkeepers selling flowers, fruits and coconuts on the road leading to the Chamundeshwari Temple atop the Chamundi Hill, where their shops were demolished on Sept.12, gave them temporary permission to sell the puja items till Oct.17 in view of Dasara festivities.

He was on a visit to the Hill to inspect the ongoing works early this morning and soon after the inspection, held a meeting at Dasoha Bhavan for ten minutes, once the displaced shopkeepers urged him to reconsider his decision as they have been left with no source of livelihood since the past five days after they  were evacuated.

Nayaka Samaja Okkuta Sangha leaders Devaraj Katur, Dyavappa Naik and BJP leader Appanna presented a memorandum on behalf of the shopkeepers to Somanna, asking him to make alternate arrangements. Listening to their woes, the Minister immediately convened a meeting and took the decision to temporarily permit them to sell puja items till Oct.17 when Chamundi Vardanthi celebration ends. He also said that only locals of Chamundi Hill must be given permission to set up their shops on the road that leads to the Temple.