MAPUSA
Residents of Mapusa are up in arms against the contractor in-charge of pay-parking in Mapusa municipal market.
The residents and shopkeepers have also complained that they are being harassed by the boys who collect pay-parking fees in the market.
Others said that the boys who collect the fees speak very arrogantly and behave as though they own the Mapusa market.
“It’s very disappointing for a Mapshekar who enters the market. The boys who collect the parking fees behave as though they are sole proprietor of the market. They misbehave with people and many times get into arguments with consumers,” said Gaja Lotlikar, a resident of Mapusa.
He said the boys neither wear uniform nor sport an ID card so that people can identify and complain against them.
He further blamed the Mapusa Municipal Council for the mismanagement.
“Why should Mapshekars pay parking fees to enter into the market? It’s very disgusting,” he lamented.
Another resident of Mapusa Pritam Walke lodged a complaint before the chief officer against harassment for unnecessary charging of parking fees in the market.
He said although people and especially the shopkeepers are allowed to enter the market with their vehicles between 1 to 2 pm for free, he was asked to pay up for entering in the market at around 1.10 pm.
“I have been residing in Khorlim, Mapusa for the last more than 30 years but never saw any authority charging a person for parking or to enter in the market with a vehicle except in recent times,” Walke said.
Several market goers have also complained that the boys were charging parking fees in areas where no pay-parking sign-boards were erected.
Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council, Shubanghi Vaigankar acknowledged that some people had brought to her notice that the contractor was charging fees from people during the one-hour period in the afternoon, when they are not supposed to charge.
She also admitted that people have been complaining against the arrogant behaviour of the boys collecting pay-parking fees.
“We summoned the contractor and spoke to him on various issues. He has been asked to train the boys to behave with the public who visit the market. We all need to understand that Mapusa market is popular not only in Goa but also outside it. We need to pass the right message to people who visit the market. No person who visits the market should feel harassed,” Vaigankar said.
She said she will discuss with the council on the issue of the uniform and the ID card for the pay-parking staff.
