May 30: After launching a crackdown on buildings constructed flouting the bylaws, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has decided to turn the heat on the traders who do not possess a valid trade licence.

Official sources today said during the drive to be launched on Thursday, the corporation would take action against the traders running their businesses within the municipal area either without a trade licence or have not renewed their licences.

“Through the media, we have already made an appeal to the traders to get their trade licences renewed, failing which action will be taken against them under Section 390 of the GMC Act. This appeal will be treated as a showcause notice and punitive action will be taken against those who fail to comply, without serving any further notice,” the source said.

Though the deadline expired on March 21, the traders were allowed to get the trade licences renewed till May 31 by paying 20 per cent of the licence fee as penalty.

“The defaulters will have to face closure of their establishments and all the expenditure will be realised from the traders as arrears of taxes,” the source said, adding, “We have till date managed to collect trade licence fee from 70 per cent of the businessmen. The collection will increase next year if action is taken against the defaulters, as it will set an example for the others.”

According to the GMC Act, for running any business within the area of jurisdiction of the corporation, the owner must obtain a trade licence from the former and should get it renewed at the end of every financial year.

Though GMC was not very strict in collection of trade licence fee earlier, the current financial crisis has forced it to pull up its socks. There had been instances when GMC employees had to face stiff resistance from traders when they clamp down on defaulters. On many occasions, the corporation was forced to even suspend its drive.

In the mean time, the corporation continued its demolition drive today. “An Assam-type house was partially demolished at Fatasil Ambari, while two days’ time has been given to the owners of two buildings at Maligaon for self demolition,” the source said.