The scrutiny process which was taken up at the Mormugao Municipal Council on Friday.
VASCO
The scrutiny of claims submitted by persons affected by the devastating fire at the Vasco Sunday Modern Market began on Friday, with the committee examining the claims of 107 affected persons and granting them an additional day to furnish supporting documents.
During the preliminary verification, 50 claimants identified themselves as owners of their respective businesses, while the remaining claimants included those operating from rented premises and others running businesses through subletting arrangements.
The scrutiny committee, headed by the Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mormugao, found that several claimants needed additional time to produce documents required to establish their ownership, tenancy, business operations and the extent of losses suffered in the fire.
Following requests from the claimants, the committee has allowed them another opportunity to submit the necessary records on Saturday, October 31, from 10.30 am onwards at the Conference Hall of the Mormugao Municipal Council.
The affected traders have been asked to produce whatever supporting documents are available with them, including tenancy or ownership records, business registration certificates, purchase invoices, bills, stock details and inventory records to substantiate their claims.
In cases where documents were destroyed in the fire, claimants have been asked to submit an affidavit specifying the records lost or destroyed, along with details of their businesses. Such affidavits should be countersigned by the president or secretary of the authorised committee concerned, wherever applicable.
The exercise is aimed at establishing the genuineness of the claims before further processing of financial assistance to the fire-affected traders.
With several businesses having lost their premises, merchandise and important records in the blaze, Saturday's exercise will provide another opportunity for affected traders to place the necessary details before the scrutiny committee.
MMC to work on Saturday, Sunday for claim scrutiny
VASCO: Mormugao Municipal Council Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik has said the council would continue working on Saturday and Sunday, with staff instructed to report for duty to facilitate the verification and scrutiny of claims submitted by traders affected by the Vasco market fire.
He said the council was cross-checking the claims against its official database to establish the identity and status of the claimants.
"As per our records, there are around 133 hawkers and 16 shops in the market, but we have received 107 claims. We have created two categories — allottees and present occupiers — to simplify the verification process. Some claimants have reported losses of Rs 65 lakh, while others have claimed Rs 50 lakh. We have to cross-verify these claims, and the claimants have now been informed about the documents required," Naik said.
The scrutiny is intended to establish the actual occupancy and business details of the claimants before their compensation claims are processed.
