MARGAO
Slamming the ordinance, the Margao New Market Traders Association has resolved to shut down the mega market for a day on January 7 in protest against the Amendment.
Traders also made a fervent plea to the members of their fraternity to unite and boldly face the government leaving behind their differences. They suspect the ordinance has been promulgated in a hurry before the Assembly session so as to to bring the traders to the knees of the ruling party.
After a meeting of the traders, New Market Association President Vinod Shirodkar told the media that the New market will remain shut for a day on January 7 in protest against the government ordinance on lease of Municipal shops.
Demanding that the government immediately withdraw the ordinance, Vinod said the traders are ready for a dialogue with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant if given an appointment. “We are ready for a meeting with the Chief Minister if called for a dialogue”, he added.
Saying that the ordinance will displace the traders, who have been eking a living from the Municipal stalls since the time they were run by their forefathers, Vinod, however, said the traders are ready for a hike in rent, but as per the law. “If the shops are put for auction every 10 years, outsiders will come and take away the business of our ancestors. Let the government increase the rent every three years as per law”, he added.
Asked to outline the future course of action, Vinod said the traders will call on the MLAs and Ministers to support their cause and ensure they are not thrown on the roads by the government’s ordinance. “We will approach Leader of opposition Digmabar Kamat, BJP leader Damu Naik, Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai, Congress leader Luizinho Faleiro and others with our issue. We are not here to do politics but to get our issue resolved’, he said, while ruling out the possibility of moving the court.
A trader Gopal Naik called for unity amongst the traders to unitedly face the ordinance. “Our forefathers have been running these shops. No one can displace us. We need not worry, but remain united. The government is instilling fear amongst the traders to support the candidates of a particular political party. When we have been operating the Municipal shops as mundkars and tenants, the government will not be able to displace us”, Gopal said.
Shutdown not called off: Mapusa traders
MAPUSA: Mapusa Merchants’ Association President Ashish Shirodkar on Monday said the decision to down the shutters on December 7 and the dharna at Azad Maidan still stands for the moment, even as key members of various merchants associations will meet on Tuesday to deliberate on certain statements made by the chief minister.
“We have not called off our protest. The coordinating committee of All Goa Merchants Association will meet on Tuesday to deliberate and decide on the next course of action, keeping in mind certain statements made by the chief minister,” said Shirodkar, who is spearheading the protest against the municipal ordinance.
He said Narayan Karekar, a merchant from Mapusa, who met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, has been heading a defunct committee.
“Karekar is heading a defunct committee of All Goa Merchants Federation and therefore whatever he spoke with the chief minister has no significance,” he said.
Ironically, Narayan Karekar was present among the gathering of over 400 merchants who took part in the deliberations to oppose the municipal ordinance on Sunday in Mapusa.
Karekar, a former BJP karyakarta, has been the President of the All Goa Merchants Federation for several years.
The federation has been dormant for the last several years.
The coordinating committee of All Goa Merchants Association which are going to meet on Tuesday is also expected to discuss the revival of the All Goa Merchants Federation and probably elect a new president for the defunct federation.
