MAPUSA
The Mapusa merchants are up in arms against the recent amendment to the Goa Municipalities Act and called for a meeting of all merchants associations in the State to discuss an action plan to oppose the move of the government.
The Mapusa Merchants’ Association termed the amendment “draconian” as certain provisions in the amendment allow the government undue powers in the functioning of local bodies.
“It is evident that the government has given itself power to seal, repossess and even re-auction municipal shops and commercial spaces without slightest compensation to the existing lease holder,” said Ashish Shirodkar, President of Mapusa Merchants’ Association.
He said the meeting to discuss the issue would be held at the Hotel Satyaheera conference hall, Mapusa, on January 3 at 10.30 am.
The Governor recently promulgated the Goa Municipalities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 which seeks to regularise unauthorised possession of municipal shops and thereby generate revenue to the council and to limit the lease period of shops.
Shirodkar said the ordinance would sound a death knell to traditional Goan merchants and which in turn, would traumatise thousands of Goan families.
“Many Goan families are dependent on their traditional businesses which have been carried out from municipal premises as lessees. This sudden and unexplained move of the government is most traumatising to the merchants who are still reeling under the economic hardship caused by Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
He further said that instead of being sympathetic to the merchants community, the government was out to finish the Goans who were in business and trading.
“Casinos are given relaxation in crores, while the daily bread earning Goan small businessman is being harassed by unjust laws passed through the ordinance route,” he opined.
Shirodkar appealed to all associations and trade bodies of various municipal markets all over Goa to be united against the law and force the government to retract the same.
“Mapusa Merchants’ Association appeals to all presidents and secretaries of all such merchants associations to attend the meeting to chalk out further action plan to oppose the government move,” he said.
