CANACONA
In a drive to regulate operations of mobile carts, the Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) demolished an illegal kiosk and warned three mobile cart operators to refrain from erecting permanent structures at Chaudi on Thursday.
CMC took note of the appearance of a kiosk right in the middle of an open space behind the municipal fish market, after a women’s group complained about the structure in the place they had applied to the CMC.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, the CMC inspected the kiosk and when no one came forward to claim ownership of the structure, the CMC on Thursday deployed a JCB to demolish the kiosk.
The CMC team lead by Chief Officer Udhay Prabhudesai also warned three other mobile carts to vacate the space at night.
According to sources, the CMC has not granted permission to operate kiosks or carts which are permanent in nature but had only leased out the space for 11 months and charged fees to operate moving carts.
However, there were complaints that a few had converted their mobile carts into permanent structures at the site.
Sources said there are about 27 such mobile carts in the area which have been illegally converted into permanent kiosks and some of them operate as chicken, mutton, flower, mobile and fish kiosks.
When contacted, CMC Chairperson Simon Rebello said a few more mobile carts permitted in and around Chaudi areas, particularly at the rickshaw stand, old bus stand, outside KTC bus stand, have been warned to move out from the area during non-business hours.
“The CMC has decided to continue the drive to curb illegal trade, especially by mobile carts. Many such mobile carts have been illegally converted into permanent structures and operate without paying any fees and taxes to the council.”
“The CMC will monitor these developments and take necessary action,” Rebello added.
