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A two-wheeler owner was forced to pay a ₹219 fine despite having already paid an authorised vendor a ₹10 parking fee and possessing a valid receipt in Pune's Market Yard. The incident took place on June 19.

The complainant, Munjhesa Jha, speaking to The Free Press Journal, said, "I had parked my two-wheeler in the parking area of Gate Number 4 of Market Yard. I paid ₹10 to an authorised vendor, for which a proper receipt was issued. However, shortly after, a towing staff member of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) towed my vehicle. When I approached the concerned authorities, I was told to pay ₹219 as a fine for parking in an unauthorised area. I requested them to release my vehicle, but officials said the fine amount was mandatory if I wanted my vehicle."

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Even after showing the valid ₹10 parking receipt to APMC officials, the complainant was told that it did not matter, and the fine payment was still mandatory.

The officer allegedly replied, "I don't know anything about that; you still have to pay." Left with no choice, the complainant paid the ₹219 fine to retrieve the vehicle.

Complainant Jha said, "If the parking fee was already paid, under what authority did APMC staff tow the vehicle?"

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Prashant Gajbhije, another victim, said, "The extortion modus operandi is not new in Market Yard. Last month, I also faced the same harassment. We don't have much time to argue with the APMC officials. But they are forcing people to pay using such tactics." "The question here is: Is the APMC involved in the exploitation of vehicle owners under the guise of traffic enforcement?" he asked.

Meanwhile, speaking to this newspaper, Rajaram Dhondkar, Secretary, APMC, Market Yard, said, "We will discuss the matter with the security officer and action will be taken accordingly. Any kind of extortion will not be tolerated."

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