Merchants in Mapusa are once again up in arms against the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC), accusing the civic body of reneging on its promise to withdraw the contentious sanitation fee and continuing to “squeeze” them with hefty charges, even while renewing their lease agreements.
The Mapusa Merchants Association (MMA) President, Jeetendra Falari, expressed deep disappointment, saying the traders had placed their faith in MMC’s assurance – decision he now regrets.
“I think I made a mistake by trusting the MMC and not going ahead with the bandh. I kept faith in MMC which was my mistake,” Falari said, visibly frustrated.
Two months ago, traders discontented with the MMC’s handling of the sanitation tax issue had threatened a shutdown of the municipal market.
The protest was called off at the eleventh hour following the intervention of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and local MLA Joshua D’Souza, who both assured the traders that their grievances would be addressed promptly.
However, despite these assurances from the highest levels of government, merchants say there has been no resolution.
The sanitation fee remains in place, and renewal of lease agreements has been tied to payment of the charges – something traders argue is unfair, given the alleged poor state of sanitation in and around the market.
Falari said the MMA had refrained from agitating in good faith, expecting a genuine resolution.
“We trusted their word, but now the same promises are being ignored. Traders are being forced to pay despite no visible improvement in sanitation,” he said.
Adding to the controversy, opposition councillor Shashank Narvekar accused the MMA president of questionable dealings in the matter.
“Settlement and setting and credit to CM and MLA and responsibility on MMC and councillors… waah rey waah…,” Narvekar remarked sarcastically, hinting at alleged behind-the-scenes compromises.
Narvekar claimed that if traders truly wanted change, they should have pressed ahead with their protest instead of relying on verbal assurances.
