Over a year has passed since the new market complex near Hanuman temple at Porvorim was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, but the market continues to remain idle as the Goa Housing Board has not auctioned shops and offices as yet.
Sawant had inaugurated the new market complex amid much fanfare on August 16, 2021, and then Goa Housing Board (GHB) Chairman Subhash Shirodkar had announced during the function that the online process to auction shops and offices in the new market would begin from September 15 and would be completed by September 30.
However, the new market complex awaits auctioning of shops and offices. Some owners of shops in the old market have already closed down their businesses due to filthy surroundings and are eagerly waiting for allotment of shops in the new market.
When contacted, Penha de Franca Sarpanch Swapnil Chodankar said the panchayat has already issued an occupancy certificate to the GHB after payment of necessary fees by them.
“It is up to officials of GHB to auction the shops and offices,” said Chodankar.
When contacted, GHB Chairman Jit Arolkar said he gave priority to the new market complex after being given charge of the Board.
“Work on the lift was pending and it has been completed now. We have received the occupancy certificate from the Penha de Franca panchayat. Now, the process of issuing electrical connections to shops and offices has begun.”
“The GHB has finalised the rates and the allotment policy. First, shops and offices will be auctioned on outright purchase basis and this online auction process will commence within a month.”
“Shopkeepers in the old market have requested for concession in rates. These shops will be allotted after consultation with authorities concerned.”
“The existing GHB building will be demolished and the process to shift the entire administration to the premises of new market complex has begun. Hence, there was a delay in auctioning of shops and offices,” said Arolkar.
He informed that a new building would be constructed in place of the existing GHB building.
