PONDA
Acting on court directives, the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) on Saturday began the demolition of eight shops built on government land along the roadside at Kajiwada-Ponda.
According to sources, a case was in court regarding demolition of eight shops built on government land as part of road-widening work. The court later ordered the removal of the eight shops and acting on the order, the deputy collector directed PMC to demolish the shops.
The PMC chairperson, the PMC Chief Officer, the Deputy Superintendent of Police and the Ponda police inspector were present to supervise the demolition of the shops with the help of bulldozers started, which began on Saturday morning
Some shopkeepers had already removed their goods from their shops. An elderly shopkeeper, who was distraught over the demolition of his shop, lamented that the administrative system had destroyed his means of livelihood.
He claimed that he used to earn his living through the shop for the last 50 years, and no notice was given to him about the demolition of his shop.
As the shops were being demolished, MGP leader Dr Ketan Bhatikar went to the spot and sympathised with the affected shopkeepers. Speaking to reporters, Dr Bhatikar said the shops should have been removed only after the shopkeepers were rehabilitated elsewhere.
“People have set up such different carts and shops in many places. But because they have political influence, those shops and unlicensed carts are untouched. However, those shops which were not causing any problem to anyone have been demolished. There is no scope to widen the road at the site. Steps should now be taken to rehabilitate them,” said Dr Bhatikar.
