the goan I network
MAPUSA
Stressing on the need to form a shadow council in Mapusa, former chairperson and President of Mapusa Merchants’ Association, Ashish Shirodkar also said he would impress on the government on the need of having a full-time chief officer for the council.
“The present council in Mapusa has no opposition. All 20 councillors appear to be functioning as one group. We need to form a shadow council for the wholesome development of Mapusa,” Shirodkar said.
The Mapusa Merchants’ Association chief along with other members was addressing a news conference in a city hotel in Mapusa on Monday.
Shirodkar said quite a few ex-councilors and concerned citizens were in touch with him and very soon he would announce members of the shadow council for Mapusa.
He said Mapusa also needed a full-time chief officer as much of the work was hampered due to non-availability of key officers in the municipal council.
“We will request the govt to either give the chief officer a full-time charge or to depute a new chief officer to the Mapusa civic body,” he said.
Shirodkar said that the merchants’ association would hold a symbolic protest on the Independence Day to highlight the mess going on in the Mapusa municipal market.
“After the flag hoisting ceremony, we will hold a peaceful demonstration near Hanuman Natyagraha. We request all former councilors and like-minded people to join the token protest,” he said.
Stating that migrant vendors have taken over the municipal market, he alleged a nexus between Sopo collector and some councilors in the municipality.
“The sopo-kar allows migrant vendors to squat in the market and charge a premium for the space provided to them,” he alleged. He said the number of vendors had gone up from 300 to 600.
“The State government has sanctioned Rs 20 crore for redevelopment of the Mapusa. These same migrant vendors are looking for rehabilitation after the new setup is put in place,” he added.
