VASCO
Mormugao Municipal Council Chairperson Deepak Naik has admitted that Krishna Pal Singh’s arrest in connection with money collected from Saptah stall owners to extend the fair has revealed a nexus and scam which had been going for several years.
When The Goan sought to know whether the collection of money was going on for last several years, Naik said, “Singh’s arrest has revealed the nexus and the scam that was going on. But none of my councillors are involved or are associated with Singh.”
“I will be very careful in the coming years and at the time of issuing licenses. I will direct the stall owners not to pay to anyone who approaches them promising extension of the Saptah fair,” said Naik.
When brought to his notice that the stalls were sold for much higher price by the original lessee, Naik said he was aware that the stalls were being sold for much higher price and added that at the next Saptah, the council will keep a strict watch on the applications and accordingly allot stalls.
Speaking to The Goan, Shaik Ali, a garments stall owner, said he had bought the stall for a sum of Rs 30,000. “These are the prime locations, we cannot come a month in advance to do booking of the stalls. The councillors have their own person who books spaces in advance and later sells it for a higher price,” said Ali.
When asked whether a person approached him, Sajid Sheik said he had been selling garments during Saptah fair for the past 15 years and
the collection is a regular practice.
“At the end of the fifth day, some agents of the councillor and MMC staff will approach us and demand money for extension of the fair. We pay them with a hope that we will get few additional days to make business,” said Sheik.
“Besides the agents, the MMC staff squeeze the stall owners every day by demanding money ranging from Rs 50 to 100 and even some garments, toys and other items, which we give to do away with harassment,” added Sheik.
“Singh’s arrest is nothing new, as he was caught by one of the councillors and MLA’s friend. The money collected reaches everyone, including the officers and councillors,” stated Sheik.
