Mapusa
In a strong protest, the Mapusa Merchants Association (MMA) has warned of a complete shutdown of the Mapusa Municipal Market on June 23 if the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) fails to meet their demands over the sanitation fee.
The decision was taken at a traders’ meeting on Wednesday evening, where all merchants opposed what they called an “illegal” fee. The MMA has given the council four days, starting Thursday, to respond to four key demands. If there is no action by June 22, the market will shut the next day.
The traders want a revision of the sanitation fee, no retrospective charges for the past five years, a refund of payments already made, and an extension of the trade licence renewal deadline, along with a waiver of late fees. They insist the charges should apply only from the current financial year and not be backdated.
“We are firm on our demands and request the MMC to consider them. If not, we will have no choice but to shut the market on Monday,” said Siddesh Raut, Secretary of the MMA.
The protest has increased pressure on the municipal council to act quickly, as a market shutdown could affect hundreds of traders and customers and disrupt local business.
