MAPUSA
In a blow to the Mapusa civic body’s anti-encroachment drive which had struck a chord among the common men, the Director of Municipal Administration (DMA) on Tuesday stayed the ongoing drive for not following proper procedure.
The DMA has directed the Chief Officer of Mapusa to refrain from seizing any goods or articles from shop or stall owners in the jurisdiction of Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) until the matter is decided.
The next hearing has been fixed on June 15.
The MMC had started its anti-encroachment drive on Wednesday last week seizing goods and items on footpaths and road widening areas. The drive had brought much cheer to the aam aadmi which was hoping that it would bring much discipline in the market.
Challenging the method of conducting the anti-encroachment drive, Khorlim resident, Mahesh Rane said that the act of the Chief Officer and his staff was illegal and arbitrary as they forcibly seized the items.
“The Chief Officer has not made any panchanama or inventory of the seized items/goods/articles, which is mandatory,” Rane said.
He also said that chief officer and the council has adopted a pick and choose policy as per their wish and whims and also their action was biased. He further said that as per the Act the goods seized has to be returned back to shop owners or stalls owners after imposing fine.
Rane alleged that the seized materials were taken away by the workers/officials for their own use at home which needs to be inquired.
He said that the items which were seized have caused heavy loss to the shop owners and stall owners.
He also submitted that chief officer did not conduct any hearing and no principle of natural justice was followed
The DMA observed that the Chief Officer’s action to seize the goods from the shop owner without making any inventory before and after the seizure is contrary to the provision of seizure.
“The Chief Officer should follow proper procedure of seizure and proper inventory of goods and its panchanama be carried out before, during and after its seizure. Even if it is clearing of encroachment the valuable goods should not be damaged or destroyed during the seizure,” the DMA said.
