MARGAO
The India-China stand-off over the Doklam issue might have finally blown over as the two countries have agreed to withdraw troops from the India-China-Bhutan tri-
junction.
But, will this development ensure that the Chinese cellular phone company Oppo establish its foothold in the commercial capital or whether the local sentiments which ran high over the Doklam stand-off finally ground Oppo's plan to set up a direct retain sale point in the city.
Indeed, Thursday's meeting of the Margao Municip
al Council will decide the fate of the trade license issued to Oppo to set up a retail sale point in the commercial capital.
While Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes had issued the trade license for the company, on grounds that the application conforms to the established rule, the municipality will deliberate the question on the revocation of the trade license granted for Oppo earlier this month.
Reason: Town and Country Planning Minister and Fatorda MLA, Vijai Sardesai has told the Babita Angle Prabhudesai-led Council to revoke the trade license granted by the MMC Chief Officer saying the license runs contrary to the local sentiments in the wake of the Doklam standoff between India and China.
In fact, the TCP Minister had last week made it clear to the MMC
Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai to take up the issue at the council meeting and get the trade license issued by the Chief Officer revoked.
"The Chief Officer might have issued the trade license, but the council can get the license revoked at its meeting. The council has not only to take into account the sentiments the people in the wake of the Doklam standoff, but also take into consideration the interest of the local mobile phone retailers. Nothing should be done which will affect the interests of the local mobile retailers," Sardesai had told the media.
Local mobile retailers are an agitated lot ever since they claimed that Oppo has plans to set up a direct sale point in the city, which will affect them in the long run.
A mobile retailer Carlton Pimenta informed that 10 such direct sale points established by Oppo or other companies will spell doom for the retailers as well as the thousands of employees eking a living on the business.
Sources in the know said that though the issue does not find a mention in the meeting agenda, the contentious issue is expected to come up for deliberation and decision on Thursday.
While Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes had issued the trade license for the company, on grounds that the application conforms to the established rule, the municipality will deliberate the question on the revocation of the trade license granted for Oppo earlier this month.
Reason: Town and Country Planning Minister and Fatorda MLA, Vijai Sardesai has told the Babita Angle Prabhudesai-led Council to revoke the trade license granted by the MMC Chief Officer saying the license runs contrary to the local sentiments in the wake of the Doklam standoff between India and China.
In fact, the TCP Minister had last week made it clear to the MMC
Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai to take up the issue at the council meeting and get the trade license issued by the Chief Officer revoked.
"The Chief Officer might have issued the trade license, but the council can get the license revoked at its meeting. The council has not only to take into account the sentiments the people in the wake of the Doklam standoff, but also take into consideration the interest of the local mobile phone retailers. Nothing should be done which will affect the interests of the local mobile retailers," Sardesai had told the media.
Local mobile retailers are an agitated lot ever since they claimed that Oppo has plans to set up a direct sale point in the city, which will affect them in the long run.
A mobile retailer Carlton Pimenta informed that 10 such direct sale points established by Oppo or other companies will spell doom for the retailers as well as the thousands of employees eking a living on the business.
Sources in the know said that though the issue does not find a mention in the meeting agenda, the contentious issue is expected to come up for deliberation and decision on Thursday.
