It should have been a matter of pride and joy to have been allotted shops in the newly constructed Saligao market, but shopkeepers have refused to take possession of the shops, let alone open them for business activities.
And even if business activities are started in the market complex, shopkeepers and their customers would be forced to answer nature’s call in the open, as the market is not equipped with toilet facilities.
Panchayat Minister Laxmikant Parsekar had inaugurated the newly constructed Saligao Market on May 9, the birthday of local MLA and Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, amid expectations that the 16 shops would be put to good use for the benefit of residents of Saligao.
However, the shopkeepers are yet to take possession of the shops on grounds that the new market lacks basic facilities like power supply, forcing them to keep their shops closed even though they have paid the rent in advance.
“We were handed over the shop keys on June 2 after an agreement was signed, but there is no power supply in the shops till date. How can we occupy the shops and do business without power supply,” asked a shopkeeper.
“The panchayat has increased the rent from Rs 100 to 1,000 per month and we were asked to pay Rs 10,000 as advance. We feel it is too steep and we may find it difficult to survive as we survive on day-to-day business.”
“There are many terms and conditions laid down by the Saligao Panchayat. This should not have been the case, as we are all locals doing business in the market for so many years,” said the shopkeeper.
Incidentally, the Saligao market has no provision for toilets within the complex and it is reliably learnt that the shopkeepers had requested the Saligao Panchayat to provide them with toilet facilities.
According to sources, the electricity department is in the process of providing separate power connections to each of the shops. At present, a temporary line has been provided to the entire market complex.
When contacted, Saligao Sarpanch Eknath Oraskar said the market had been inaugurated and it was up to the shopkeepers to take possession of the shops.
“It is true that we have increased the rent to some extent, but we are giving them better shops. The shopkeepers have to sign an agreement which forbids them from keeping their shops closed for three continuous months or sub-letting the premises,” said Oraskar.
