MARGAO
A delegation of the Margao New Market Traders Association on Monday lodged their protest with the Margao Municipality over the exorbitant sanitation fees proposed by the civic body for the commercial establishments.
While the small traders demanded that they be treated on par with households, Margao Municipal Council Chairperson Babita Angle Prabhudesai said the civic body is ready for a roll back of the rates, but only after discussing the issue at a special meeting of the Council.
A delegation of Margao New Market traders led by Association president, Vinod Shirodkar called on the Municipal chairperson with a plea to roll back the sanitation fees, terming the fees as steep for small traders operating in the new market.
After a hour-long meeting with the Municipal chairperson, the traders told the media that they have drawn the attention of the Municipal chief how the sanitation fees ranging from Rs 1,800 to Rs 6,000 will adversely affect the small traders. “The new market plays host to small traders operating from cubicles, which hardly generates any garbage. Most of the vegetable shops operating from the market have closed down. We have told the Municipal chief that the annual fees amounting to Rs 1,800 levied on the traders is too steep considering the waste generated by the small traders and will be a burden on the traders taking into account other taxes and fees paid by them,” Vinod said.
The Municipal chairperson pointed out that the small traders operating in the new market have submitted some reasons why the fees should be rolled back.
Meanwhile, city social groups and commercial owners are also bracing up for a protest on the issue on Tuesday.
