MAPUSA
Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Shubangi Vaigankar on Tuesday assured to look into the problems facing the merchant community and take up certain works like the public toilet on priority in the municipal market.
“There are many issues that need attention in the Mapusa municipal market. Initially, we have decided to take up the long-pending public toilet issue on priority. The past council had already taken some steps in this regard which will be followed up. We will take the merchants also into confidence to kick start the work,” Vaigankar said.
The MMC chairperson along with her deputy Chandrashekar Benkar, Mapusa Merchants Association President Ashish Shirodkar and others inspected to get first-hand information about the immediate issues affecting the municipal market on Tuesday noon.
Councillors Viraj Phadke, Sainath Raul and Ashirvad Khorjuvekar were also present.
Speaking further, Vaigankar said the merchants in a representation have requested that they be allowed to do business in the first half of the day along with others.
“The merchants want permission to open their shops till 1 pm as most other shops on the outskirts of the town are open. They are ready to follow any SOPs fixed by the government. We will convey their request to the State government so that they can take an appropriate decision,” she said.
She also informed that the decision on the Rs 20 crore special funds allotted for refurbishing the Mapusa market will also be taken jointly with the councillors and the Mapusa MLA.
“Former CM late Manohar Parrikar had allotted Rs 20 crore for sprucing up of the municipal market. We will hold a discussion on the issue with all stakeholders of how to utilize the funds and accordingly move ahead,” she said.
President of Mapusa Merchants Association Ashish Shirodkar was confident that the chairperson along with the new batch of councillors would take forward the works in the market in right earnest.
“The chairperson has conducted an inspection to learn about the issues facing the market within 24 hours of handing of our representation. This is a positive sign and we have hope the new council will take up our issues,” Shirodkar said.
“We trust the Mapusa MLA along with the councillors and the government will help in tackling problems facing the market,” he added.
