MARGAO
Illegal hawkers have suddenly disappeared from the comunidade square during the last three days “ thanks to an order issued by Margao Municipal Council Chief Officer Johnson Fernandes constituting a squad headed by sanitary inspector Viraj Arabekar to crack down on all illegalities during daytime and after sunset.
Municipal Labour Union, however, sees red in the Chief Officer’s decision, saying the move is in clear violation of the agreement between the civic body and Goa Municipal Employees Association. The Association has demanded immediate revocation of the order or threatened direct action, including the threat to strike work.
The Chief Officer says the squad has been constituted following complaints received from the public that handcarts, mobile food vans, stalls, bars & restaurants, conducting trade outside the premises, selling of vegetables & other wares on pavements are carried out near Borkar Super Stores, Sadekar Lane, Lohia Maidan, on the road leading to the Old railway station, opposite Municipal garden, etc. “The Municipality has constituted the team to constantly monitor these illegalities as there are some unscrupulous elements under the cover of darkness or even otherwise, who dump waste/garbage which gives an ugly look to the town and which acts are also to be checked and the culprits to be apprehended and booked under the provisions of the Goa Non-Biodegradable garbage (Contract) Act, 1996,” Johnson said, giving clear indications that there’s nothing wrong in constituting a dedicated squad headed by the Sanitary inspector.
Goa Municipal Employees Association General Secretary Anil Shirodkar, however, took strong objection to the appointment of the sanitary inspector when the job falls within the domain of the market inspectors. “The Association fails to understand how come the Chief Officer has appointed the Sanitary inspector to head the square when the work does not fall in his domain, more so when the regular Municipal inspectors and workers were willing to work till 8 pm in the evening to tackle the illegalities,” Anil said.
Saying that the constitution of the special squad is a clear violation of the agreement between the civic body and the workers, Anil disclosed plans to dash off a formal letter to the Chief Officer to revoke the order or face action. He also disclosed plans to raise the issue at the meeting with the Labour Commissioner later this month.
What’s significant to note is that the illegal hawking at the comunidade square has come to a sudden halt after the constitution of the squad, perhaps the first time in many years.
Meanwhile, the squad has seized bags containing tobacco items including pan masala during the raid at the station road on Wednesday. Chief Officer Johnson Fernandes has told the squad to hand over the items to the Margao police for further action.
