MAPUSA
The Mapusa Municipal Council’s (MMC) anti-encroachment drive against vendors and shop owners which started with a bang two weeks ago seems to have slowed down with no action visible in the last three to four days.The MMC Chief Officer along with the municipal staff had started confiscating goods from the footpaths and dismantling boards and extensions which were installed illegally.
The non-stop drive had instilled fear among the shopkeepers and at several places the owners had started removing goods and clearing extensions on their own.
However, the drive was stopped for a couple of days after the Director of Municipal Administration pulled up the civic body for conducting the drive without carrying out an inventory of the goods confiscated.
The anti-encroachment drive had support of the locals who appreciated the civic body’s action as it cleared the footpaths and restored some sanity in the market.
With the backing of the people, Chairperson Priya Mishal and Vice-Chairperson Viraj Phadke re-started the drive last week but this time ensuring that proper procedure was followed.
However, in the last three to four days no action could be seen in the market.
Vice-Chairperson Viraj Phadke informed that the drive has not stopped but only slowed down as there was shortage of drivers and workers.
“It is not completely stopped. Whenever we get adequate staff we carry out the anti-encroachment drive. Presently, the focus is on de-silting of drains. Most of our staff is engaged in the pre-monsoon work,” Phadke said.
A member of Mapusa Merchants Association, Pandurang Sawant admitted that the drive appeared to have slowed down but the shopkeepers were very cautious.
“The fear factor among the shopkeepers still exists. Shopkeepers do not want to take chances fearing confiscation of their goods,” Sawant said.
