AHPETC gets court summons after organising community fair

[General Veers]

Updated: 01/30/2014 15:54 | By Channel NewsAsia

AHPETC gets court summons after organising community fair

SINGAPORE: The Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) said it received a summons on Thursday to attend court in relation to the Lunar New Year Flora and Community Fair held at Hougang Central Hub.

The town council said it had contacted the National Environment Agency about its intention to run the event since December 20, 2013, with the nature of the community fair and the benefit to residents clearly stated.

The event started on January 10 this year.

The town council said the NEA has also issued notices to attend court and to pay fines to residents and their family members assisting at the fair on January 28, 29 and 30 this year.

The town council added that it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter as the case against the town council will be mentioned in court on February 18.

On Wednesday, the National Environment Agency said it had applied for a court summons against the AHPETC for an unlicensed trade fair at the Hougang Central Hub.

Four stall holders were also served with notices to attend court for hawking without a licence.

NEA said that town councils are not allowed to engage in commercial activities, including the organisation and operation of fairs, as these are not related to their statutory function of management and maintenance of common property. - CNA/ac