MAPUSA
Coming under the scrutiny of the High Court on illegal transfer of shops/stalls in the Mapusa municipal market, the Mapusa Merchant’s Association (MMA) on Sunday unanimously resolved to approach Urban Development Minister, Viswajeet Rane and Mapusa MLA, Joshua D’Souza and impress them to amend the laws to safeguard the interest of shop/stall owners in the State.
The merchants arrived at the decision during an extra ordinary general body meeting basically to discuss and create awareness regarding the showcause notices issued to member shopkeepers.
The meeting also discussed on what course of action to be adopted with respect to a writ petition filed against the Mapusa Municipal Council regarding the original lease-holders who have sub-let the premises to others.
The Mapusa civic body last week issued showcause notices to 309 original lease holders of shops/stalls in the Mapusa municipal market for violating the agreement with the council and illegally sub-leasing the property to third persons.
The extra ordinary meeting was presided over by MMA President Shripad Sawant. Several other members including Jitendra Falari, Pandurang Sawant, former MMA President Ashish Shirodkar, Narayan Karekar, Yeshwant Gawaldankar, Naresh Tivrekar etc were also present who guided the members over the showcause notice issued to them.
Advocate Shailesh Vengurlekar discussed various legal issues that were involved in the matter.
The High Court of Bombay at Goa had recently issued notice the Mapusa Chief Officer directing him to file reply within two weeks in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) where the petitioner, Jawaharlal Shetye alleged that the civic body refused to take action against sub-letting of municipal properties.
The petitioner also contended that the municipality officials have refused to take action against lessees who continued to remain in possession of the property beyond three years of the lease period without renewing the agreement.
Shetye had also contended that the civic officials refused to take action against the transfer of municipal immovable properties to blood relations in violation of provisions of Goa Municipality Act.
The High Court had also directed the Director of Municipal Administration to enquire into all the allegations made in the petition and file an affidavit.
The High Court will hear the matter on February 22.
