the goan I network
MARGAO
In the midst of the uproar in the Margao Municipal Council on Monday over feast fair stalls erected on the SGPDA ground, the Director of Municipal Administration, Dr Tariq Thomas, has directed the civic body to maintain status quo and not to take any coercive action against the hawkers and traders, who have erected stalls, till the applications seeking permissions are disposed off by the Chief Officer.
That’s not all. Dr Thomas has issued directions to the Chief Officer to dispose off the applications of two petitioners by 5 pm on Tuesday, warning that he will appoint another officer for the task unless the CO is able to furnish the reason for not disposing of the matter.
The DMA’s order follows the petition filed by one Imtiaz Mohidin Bepari, a resident of Madel, and Joaquim Furtado of Benaulim, who had petitioned to the DMA stating that though they had applied for permission to hold the fair for furniture and other items on SGPDA ground from December 9, their applications were not considered and not disposed of by the civic body.
The petitioners had contended that the fair is conducted during the feast period every year and any delay will lead to irreparable loss to them, while seeking ex-parte order from the DMA under section 297 of the Goa Municipalities Act.
In separate orders, the DMA felt that the application referred to in the instant case should be disposed of in a time-bound manner by the Chief Officer of the Margao Municipal Council since the petitioners have the right to carry out their trade and the municipalities cannot deny indefinitely without considering/deciding the cases.
