KOHAT, Aug 31: The business community in cantonment area has warned of seeking legal relief against 100 per cent increase in rents announced by the cantonment board which, the community says, is violation of agreement.

Speaking at a meeting of presidents of markets associations, a representative of businessmen, Masudur Rehman, said that the cantonment board had served notices informing them about any increase in rent.

A delegation met the Station Commander of IX Div and the executive officer of cantonment board and tried to convince them that the increase was unlawful and against the agreement. He said that according to the agreement the cantonment board was authorised to increase the rent by 10 to 25 per cent and that too after three years.

Expressing distress over the increase, he said that the modern shopping centre had not been repaired for the last 20 years. Its sewerage system had collapsed and there were no arrangement of lights inside the plaza. The sweepers also skipped duty for many days.

Under these circumstances the authorities had no right to increase the rent. However both the officials refused to withdraw the notices and now they were left with only one option to approach the court, a press release issued on Thursday said.

This time the cantonment authorities had announced increase without consulting them and when they refused to pay the rent according to new policy they had been asked to vacate the shops, which was sheer injustice.

They condemned the Board for collecting entry fee under the ticket system from private vehicles. In his opinion it was causing unrest among the local people especially those residing within the Cantonment limits. The office bearers demanded that the Cantonment authorities should review their decision about increase in the rent and also exempt private vehicles from the yearly tax.

The meeting presided by Malik Munir Bangash was attended by Haji Fayyaz of Kotal Plaza, Abdul Malik of Shah Faisal Gate, Asghar Paracha of Sana Plaza, Mohabat Sher of Shaheen Bazaar, Mian Mohtamshah of Cantonment Plaza, Zikria Khan of MCB Square and Noor Faraz of Martyrs Square