MARGAO
The Carmona village panchayat has resolved to get the public sector banks operating in the village to obtain their trade license and deposit the one-month rent as per the law in force.
The panchayat had in a public notice had asked all commercial establishments to apply for a trade licence from the panchayat before March 31, 2021.
Sarpanch Allwyn Jorge said while most of the commercial establishments have complied with the notice, the two public sector banks operating in the village have still not obtained their trade licence and are operating illegally.
“One bank has applied but failed to deposit the one-month rental amount in our office so far as mandated by law,” he said.
The Sarpanch said the panchayat will also have to see if the premises of the banks operating are commercial spaces or residential spaces as the High Court has clearly vindicated the panchayat stand in the Verda case.
In their notice to both the public sector banks, the panchayat had stated ‘As per our records your bank has not obtained a valid trade & establishment licence’ issued by this office as mandated under the Goa Panchayat Raj Act for your commercial operations in this village. As such, you are hereby directed to immediately apply for a trade licence’ within a period of seven days failing which this Office will initiate legal proceedings against you for default & recovery of arrears”.
In this context, the banks were advised to deposit an amount equivalent to one month’s rent as per the lease agreement with the owners.
The sarpanch has warned if the banks fail to obtain their trade licence then the panchayat will have no option than to send them legal notices through its lawyers for what he termed as their illegal operations in the village for many years since their inception and denying the panchayat their revenues and flouting the rules of engagement for commercial operations.
