Last Monday, the Saligao panchayat reportedly removed several unauthorized ‘gaddas’ or stalls parked on the roadside in different parts of the village due to their causing a nuisance and obstructing motorists’ views on these roads.
The Saligao Sarpanch claimed that most of these ‘gaddas’ or stalls had licenses in the names of specific individuals, but they were sublet to outsiders. This practice is not new, as it is commonly followed in other villages in Goa. Many Goans prefer to make money through such illegal activities and shortcuts rather than engaging in hard work. However, my question is, why wasn’t the panchayat aware of these illegal activities in Saligao all this time? Why did they refuse to take action against them, despite knowing about these practices of subletting ‘gaddas’ or stalls to outsiders in Saligao?
I believe that the Saligao panchayat should stop conducting temporary drives against the owners of certain ‘gaddas’ or stalls in the village to distract from its own failures. Instead, they should permanently revoke the licenses of those (both locals and former/present panchayat members) who have illegally sublet their ‘gaddas’ or stalls to outsiders. A thorough investigation should be conducted promptly for the betterment of Saligao’s future.
