MAPUSA
A simmering resentment in the Mapusa market has burst into open confrontation, with an irate business community warning of a massive protest if their long-pending demands on lease renewals and arrears are not resolved by December 15 “ a deadline they say was assured by the local MLA himself.
The anger was palpable on Thursday evening when over 200 merchants assembled at the entrance of the market after business hours, in what many described as one of the largest shows of unity in recent months.
Traders accused the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) of dragging its feet and deliberately keeping them on edge over issues such as renewal of lease agreements, blood transfer, third-party transfer and calculation of arrears.
Former Mapusa Merchants Association (MMA) president and ex-chairperson Ashish Shirodkar minced no words, declaring that the council has turned the market into a “cash cow” to squeeze traders for financial gain.
“We have information on how certain powers are trying to make a fast buck. The council has failed us and has kept the businessmen on tenterhooks,” an agitated Shirodkar said, also taking a swipe at councillors, whom he accused of working for “personal interest” and “fixing”.
Tensions mounted further on Friday when Chief Officer Chandrakant Shetkar held a meeting with the MMA committee, but talks failed to break the deadlock. Merchants said discussions remained inconclusive, with no clear path on the contentious arrears or renewal terms.
Frustration is now spilling over into open distrust of elected representatives. Several speakers lashed out at local MLA Joshua D’Souza, alleging he had failed to stand by the business community in its “hour of need”. “These councillors have only three months left. We need not take them seriously. We elected them, we elected the MLA, and yet they cannot solve our basic issues,” Shirodkar said, expressing deep exasperation.
Merchants at the meeting demanded stronger,
collective action.
Businessman Pandurang Sawant called the arrears and lease hurdles a “manufactured issue” designed to serve vested interests.
Former MMA executive member Assis Cardozo warned that notices were being issued indiscriminately, leaving many shop owners in a quandary.
Participants urged traders to stop staying silent and instead confront the authorities head-on.
MMA President Jeetendra Falari, Secretary Siddesh Raut, former Chairperson Sandip Fallari and other senior members also addressed the gathering.
Merchants have now set December 15 as the final date for the MMC to resolve the matter.
Failure to do so, leaders warned, will trigger an intensified agitation “ one that could even see the entire market shut down.
