Years ago, when building the sales channel for our product, there was an interesting discussion with a well-known hardware dealer in Mapusa. He was of the opinion that it was no use growing one’s business as it simply increased the regulatory hassles. He went on to compare his business with that of a “gadda*”.
A gadda functions apparently unseen by any department of the Government and yet in full view of the general paying public. This means that since the gadda business is not registered with any authority viz: FDA, Sales Tax, Income Tax, Labour, Shops and Establishment, Municipality or Panchayat etc., it is not liable to pay any official taxes generally levied and collected by these agencies. In addition all these agencies demand for renewal or periodic returns etc does not affect them. They are oblivious to requirements and operate in a near administrative vacuum.
Even today, twenty years later, the moral of the story seems to be avoid getting noticed by any Government department or you will be penalized. Just set up a gadda and live happily ever after. Nothing seems to have changed except there are more gaddas springing up under the open unseeing eyes of the authorities.
Are they actually unseeing? A recent incident in the Margao Municipal Corporation (MMC) suggests that everyone knows about them but does not want to do anything about the gaddas. When one person who allegedly controlled gaddas, stormed the MMC Chairperson’s office and abused her, there was an immediate back lash. The following two days huge amounts of overtime were paid to the Municipal employees, to roam the streets and confiscate the gaddas and their wares. Two days later the drive was aborted and it was actually a loss for the corporation because they paid more in wages than they got as fines. It was business as usual.
Apparently in an election year, phone calls were made to whoever has to be called in such matters. Whoever, in turn called whoever connected to the drive and explained that gaddas have a voting potential and whoever connected understood the importance of the call by whoever and aborted the drive. The impact of this misadventure was seen last week where a new gadda was being brazenly unloaded in full view bang in the middle of Margao. Of course when contacted the relevant authorities had absolutely no idea about this activity. Surely this is a clear case of selected vision.
If the powers that be in the MMC knew that these gaddas operate at night, why then do they have staff manning the post only in the day, why not in shifts. As a citizen, gaddas operate day and night, why was the drive carried out only at night. Is it that those that operate during the day allowed, ok or authorised? Is it not strange that for a shop to get a license there is a major procedure and lots of formalities to be completed, one of them is ownership documents. How then can a gadda become authorised, if the land on which it operates is not owned by it and surely public authorities cannot give NoC to run gaddas on public land? Apparently, “asa bi hota hai”. The Collector has apparently issued NoC for kiosks on the Navelim road, while the MMC has issued permission for pucca structures. Sounds too good to be true. First issue permissions for setting up a road side business on land acquired for road widening, later when road is widened the same people have to be rehabilitated and at that time from 1 or 2 structures you will have an entire market to relocate.
Check out the unfolding situation at the North end of the new Nuvem bypass where road widening is underway. Till a few days ago, there was one new gadda on wheels set up. Today, already there are two new steel kiosks deployed on either side of the original wheeled gadda. Are the authorities sleeping as this process unfolds in broad daylight, right under their noses? Who is responsible, Nuvem Panchayat? National Highway Authority whose banner is liberally used as a shade by the gadda is showing no sign of taking any action. Is the road being widened by truckers only, are senior people not visiting the site?
Asking for the law to be applicable to everyone does seem a bit hard hearted. However, there used to be a vegetable vendor sitting around a tree at the Fatorda junction some years ago. During road widening he was asked or forced to move, he did move to a shop 50 mts away. Today, he has two shops and does the same roaring business legitimately, owing favours to none.
This is not a phenomena that happens in Margao only but it is a Pan India malaise. However, it is the authorities response to these small transgressions that determines the attitude of the bigger fish, unauthorised and illegal constructions. Goa obviously tolerates such transgressions wholeheartedly given the legislative support to regularlize.
The powers that be must start looking closely at this issue and must take steps across Goa and India to move to legitimate business premises not on public land or in public spaces inconveniencing many if not all. This should not be viewed through the narrow lens of vote banks, but a bigger picture must be considered, equality and the fact that a planned environment is beneficial to all.
*Term “Gadda” is used to cover any roadside business which may have some obscure permission, and can be temporary shed, wooden or metal or even pucca structure.
(The author prefers to write rather than chat in a balcao)
