MAPUSA
The uncertainty over rent payments for traders at the Mapusa municipal market has been resolved, with the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) resuming rent collection from Monday at existing rates along with the annual 5% increase.
The decision has brought relief to hundreds of traders and follows the demand of the Mapusa Merchants Association (MMA), which had opposed any steep rent hike.
MMA Secretary Siddesh Raut said traders can now clear pending rent dues during office hours without any additional financial burden.
“All merchants can pay their pending rent from today onwards. Rent will be collected at the existing rate with only the annual 5% increment. This is the relief that traders had been seeking,” Raut said.
He said rent revisions made for around 70 lessees by the MMC were being corrected. Traders whose rent amounts appear higher than expected have been advised to verify the details with the municipal office before making payments. No interest will be charged on pending rent for the period from April to June.
Raut added that the civic body is expected to introduce an online rent payment facility soon. While welcoming the resolution of the rent issue, the merchants said two major concerns remain pending — the transfer and renewal of lease agreements with the MMC and simplifying the process of transferring leased market premises among family members.
Traders have sought a simpler renewal process and greater security for long-standing lessees.
“These are the two major issues that are still pending. We hope the government will address them in favour of traders as well. We thank the government for resolving the rent issue and expect the remaining demands to be settled soon,” Raut said.
