the goan I network
MARGAO
The Margao Municipal Council on Tuesday sealed two business establishments for non-payment of trade dues, but both the Chief Officer Siddivinayak Naik and Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai literally struggled for answers when the media demanded to know how come the Pantaloon showroom is functioning without the mandatory trade licence.
The Municipal action against the two establishments including a cement office and an art gallery has come after they were found defaulters in the payment of trade dues.
Chief Officer Siddivinayak Naik told the media that while the art gallery has come in a premises which was in the past issued the licence to sell shoes, the cement office has been running the business without the Municipal nod.
He said the Council has undertaken an intensive drive against business establishments operating without the mandatory trade licence and submitting the lease documents.
“We do not derive any sadistic pleasure in sealing the business establishments. But, at the same time, the MMC would like to send a strong message to the establishments that the civic body would not turn a blind eye if any business is carried out in the commercial capital without the mandatory licence,” the Chief Officer said.
When the media sought to know from the Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai and the Chief Officer on the failure of the civic body to initiate similar action against Pantaloon, the duo initially said the Municipality has set in process to get the showroom pay the dues, including the trade licence and the rent.
When pressed further by the media to come out with a concrete reply, the duo said that the showroom has applied for a fire report, but could not come out with a clear time frame when the showroom will be brought under the tax net.
“All the business establishments operating in the city without the mandatory tax will be brought under the tax net. The MMC will not spare any establishment operating without the trade tax,”
Naik added.
