JULIO D’SILVA
Margao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Dr Babita Prabhudessai has countered the allegations levelled against the Council for being selective in demolishing illegal structures especially extensions done by restaurants and places serving tandoor food by targeting TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai’s opponents and overlooking the transgressions of his supporters.
The MMC chief said the Council has launched a drive to do away with illegalities and said the law would be applied to all without any partiality.
“I shall ask for a report from the Technical Section to identify the illegalities and accordingly action will be taken against them,” she said.
According to Vice-Chairperson Tito Cardoso, the Council has identified around 15 illegal extensions in the town and they will be served the show cause notices and demolition orders shortly.
“Things will really move after the next Council meeting when the Market Committee will be reconstituted,” he said.
MMC sources disclosed that the market inspectors have conducted a survey and listed out the extensions done by restaurants and places serving food especially tandoor. While the MMC has stopped the tandoor which was operating in the verandah in front of a bar & restaurant in the Old Market, the stands and other material left in the verandah will be lifted soon.
In Aquem and Borda areas, there are general stores which have encroached upon the footpaths with their goods thereby forcing the pedestrians to walk along the road.
