Rourkela, Oct. 29: Shop owners at Ambagaon Central Market are outraged by Rourkela Steel Plant’s decision to hike their rent.

Former president of shop owners’ association Shankar Jena said: “The principle is to revise the rent by 10 per cent. But this time, they have increased it by 50 per cent.” When the new order comes into force, every shop owner will have to pay Rs 1,200, which is an increase of 50 per cent from the current Rs 800. 

Deputy general manager of the town service department of Rourkela Steel Plant Santosh Nayak, however, said: “The last revision was made in 2010. So, the rent hike after six years is nothing much.” However, Jena said: “Last time, the hike was 500 per cent. So, the rent which was mere Rs 160, jumped to Rs 800.”Labour outfit Rourkela Shramik Shakti also supported the shop owners. Its president Prasant Behera said: “The rent revision cannot be made unilaterally without discussing with all parties concerned.”