VASCO: In a bid to get all sub-lessees to obtain new trade licences for their business activities, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Meghnath Porob has decided to form different teams to inspect all the shops in the market.
Reacting to claims that around 90 per cent of shops in the municipal markets and other council buildings were operating without any trade licenses, thereby depriving the MMC of revenue, Porob said, “The administrative staff are either not aware of the situation or are deliberately not acting against these illegal activities.”
“I will form different teams and will dispatch them in the market to inspect all the shops. I will inform the teams to direct all the sub-lessees to obtain new trade licenses pertaining to their business,” said Porob.
“If the sub-lessees fail to obtain the necessary trade licenses despite warning them, the council will be forced to seal their shops,” warned the chief officer.
Porob declined to comment on allegations that some councillors and the administrative staff were aware of such business activities in the municipal market and were reluctant to initiate action.
When informed that municipal rules clearly stipulate that the original lessee cannot sublet his premises to others, Porob replied, “The council is not concerned with the sub-lessees and the council has the power to seal the shops.”
