the goan I network
MAPUSA
Chief Officer, Clen Madeira has issued an order to market inspectors to clear all the encroachments from the footpaths in and around Mapusa.
Instructions have been issued to market inspectors to take action against all those who are at fault and not to spare anyone.
“Our aim is to restore proper system and discipline in the market. An order has been issued to market officials to take non-biased action against everyone who has carried out illegal encroachment,” said MMC Chairperson, Rohan Kavlekar.
On Thursday, the MMC chairperson had told The Goan that he would take some tough measures to restore order and put up a system in place in the market.
He had also said that the drive which the council had started around two months back was incomplete.
Welcoming the decision to act against illegal activities, the Mapusa Merchants’ Association said any decision that was in the interest of the people was appreciated but expected the council to take non-partisan stand in the drive.
“If the anti-encroachment drive is uniform and not selective then we wholeheartedly accept the action of the council. Any action on illegalities in the market is acceptable to us but for the action to be credible it has to be fair to everyone,” said Ashish Shirodkar, president of Mapusa Merchants’ Association.
He reminded that the civic body’s drive against the vendors around two months back was halfhearted and all the vendors that were relocated were back to their earlier locations.
“The municipal council has to take some tough action against the vendors, who hardly fetch revenue to the council and are creating nuisance in the market,” Shirodkar said.
Mapusa People’s Union, the Mapusa-based organization, had also impressed upon the council administration to initiate action against the rise in encroachments in the market and surrounding areas.
“In our recent meeting with the officials of the council, we were informed that the council would soon initiate action against encroachments on footpaths,” said J T Shetye, secretary of MPU.
