11 Jul 2020  |   05:48am IST

Smaller-sized Vasco Saptah to impact MMC’s coffers

Municipality had earned Rs 61 lakh last year; This year, the festival will be held with no commercial stalls and it will be limited to the religious rituals

Team Herald

VASCO: Mormugao Municipal Council (mmc) is likely to feel the pinch of the recent developments caused by the COVID pandemic. One of the biggest impacts will be from the fact that the annual Vasco Bhajani Saptah, which draws in crowds not just from the port town but across the State; will be held on a far smaller scale this year.  

This year it will be held with minimal religious rituals and great precautions for the safety of the public. 

In view of this, the revenue generated from the festival for the municipality will also be far smaller in comparison 

“Considering the severity and the present rate of the CoVID cases from the Mormugao taluka,  the Managing committee members decided to celebrate the Vasco Bhajani Saptah by following minimal rituals  with all precautionary measures" said Paresh Joshi, a main member from the Managing committee.

They have also communicated to the municipality not to allow any stalls, shops, sheds, which are put up by vendors during the festival. 

It may be recalled that last year, MMC which charges fees to these stalls, earned Rs 61 lakh.  In the year 2018 the revenue generated was around Rs 39 lakh.

The significant jump in revenue last year was attributed to the increase in number of stalls, which were around 900. There was also greater focus on the proper collection of fees.