MARGAO
In an interesting development, the Margao Municipal Council has revoked the trade licence issued to leading Chinese cell phone maker, Oppo through Ms Pacetel System Ltd to set up a direct sale point in Margao, near the Old Collectorate building.
Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes, who had granted trade licence to the company in August last on grounds that the company had submitted all documents in order, has on Friday revoked the licence, apparently based on the Council resolution as well as the memorandum received from the All Goa Mobile Retailers Association.
The MMC had on August 31, 2017 adopted a resolution, resolving to revoke the trade licence issued to Ms Pacetel System to set up a retail sale point in Margao in order to protect the interest of local retailers.
During discussions on the issue, Chairperson Babita Angle Prabhudesai had stated there were procedural lapses while issuing the trade licence to Oppo, even as she had called to protect interest of the local retailers.
In their memorandum, members of the mobile retailers association had contended that they are under a reasonable apprehension that if the Chinese firm is allowed and permitted to operate such a company store, then all the other mobile phone companies will follow the same trend, thereby putting the businesses of all multi-brand retail stores into jeopardy and huge financial losses.
The Goa Mobile Retailers Association had requested the Margao City Fathers to revoke the trade licence granted to Ms Pacetel Systems Pvt Ltd so that the business interests of the members of the GMRA are protected and safeguarded by the civic body.
Though MMC Chief Officer had issued the trade licence to Oppo to set up the retail sale point in the city, the Council resolved to revoke the trade licence when TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai told the Chairperson to take necessary action in the wake of the India-China Dhoklam stand off and after the mobile retailers knocked on his door for justice and protection.
