PANAJI
Speaking to media persons after the meeting Association President Dattaprasad Naik informed that the chief minister has also assured them to examine the possibility of filing a review petition in the SC to get Goa entirely exempted on lines with Sikkim and Meghalaya.
“We are satisfied with his assurance as 3210 families were losing business. Now CM has studied the judgment and after seeking legal opinion, they have come to the conclusion that about 1100 families will get to run their business. However, this is a rough estimate, which may even go up giving relief to a few others,” he said.
Speaking further, he said, “The CM has assured us that the licences will not be cancelled. Instead, these will not be renewed. He has given us an opportunity to shift the licences beyond 500 mts and 220 mts wherever applicable. We will get assistance from the government for this and no additional fees will be levied.”
Stating that Parrikar held a meeting with legal experts and Excise officials, Naik said, “SC has said that local body with a population of 20,000 or less, the
distance from the highways is reduced to 220 mts. Six municipalities “ Panaji, Margao, Vasco, Ponda, Curchorem and Mapusa and three panchayats “ Taleigao, Sancoale and Curti-Khandepar - are the only nine local bodies in entire Goa with a population of 20,000 and more. Out of these nine bodies, Taleigao and Mapusa don’t have any highways. A small stretch of Ponda is being affected on which Government is yet to take a decision. The rest of the areas are below 20,000 population.”
Explaining further, he said, “The highway from Patradevi to Panaji passes through panchayat areas with less than 20,000 population. Nonetheless, there is a small stretch in Panaji which could be affected. However, the distance has to be measured from Heera petrol pump and not the top of the
Mandovi Bridge. Then,
Cuncolim and Canacona’s population is less than 20,000. And furthermore, a bypass is being built in Canacona which will help in getting exemption to all Canacona traders.”
