PANCHKULA, Oct 3: The local STD/PCO allotees are demanding that they be allowed to operate from residential areas. In a written appeal to the HUDA Administrator, these booth owners have said the STD/PCO being a "Public Utility Service" required to be made available to customers at close proximity in case of emergencies, must be allowed the required permission.Specially with the Chandigarh Administration allowing the operation of STD, PCO, FAX and photostat facilities from residential premesis, they see no reason why they cannot be allowed to do the same. HUDA, however, has allowed only eight categories of professionals including doctors, advocates, tax consultants, architects, contractors/consultants, chartered accountants, tourist guides and property consultants to operate from residential areas.
The STD/PCO owners say they cannot afford to pay the monthly rent of a booth as it is much more than their income. Also, they feel HUDA's decision in this respect is particularly ironic in respect of the fact that most of the allotees belong to reserved categories like war widows, ex-servicemen, disabled and the unemployed. S.K Nayar, president of the Citizens' Welfare Association, has written to the Haryana Chief Minister demanding their inclusion in the list of categories allowed to operate from residential areas.
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