. MARGAO
That the district authorities have moved with alacrity to crack a whip against illegal handcarts and encroachments in Fatorda assumes significance and has raised many an eyebrow as it comes against the backdrop of the request made by the local MLA Vijai Sardesai.
Question is being raised in city circles why the district authorities were not quick in initiating similar action when a delegation of BJP leaders comprising of Sharmad Raiturkar, Saiesh Rajyadyax and others called on the district Collector late last year seeking implementation of the High Court’s directives in the commercial capital.
What’s significant to note is that after the Sharmad Raiturkar-led delegation had called on the authorities, South Goa district Magistrate, Asvin Chandru had fixed a meeting with the concerned authorities to chalk out the action plan how to go about cracking a whip against the encroachments and illegalities in the commercial capital. Sadly, the proposed meeting scheduled on January 3 last seemed to have never taken place for reasons best known to the authorities and the powers that be.
Sharmad Raiturkar had then told the media that road side vending is illegal and contempt of the 1997 High Court order.
No action was initiated by the authorities, including the district Collectorate and the Margao Municipal Council failed to act based on the complaint against the illegal vending.
