Team Herald
PANJIM: Inspection of documents of handcarts in the jurisdiction of Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) could unearth a licensing scam in the municipal body.
CCP had capped the number of handcarts at 72, however, the inspection drive carried out by the councilors and officials of the Corporation revealed that there are 110 handcarts operating in the city.
Uday Madkaikar, chairman of the Market Committee, said that following the High Court directions the CCP ordered the handcarts to produce their documents for scrutiny.
He said, “We received documents from 88 persons and all were valid documents. Even the Vigilance Department, which was handed over the case for verification, has not found any illegalities in the documents.”
The committee therefore decided to inspect all the handcarts and the owners were asked to produce the handcarts for inspection on Tuesday. During the inspection 86 handcarts were produced and two handcarts that had been confiscated by CCP earlier from 18 June road were added, taking the total to 88 handcarts. The other 22 are illegal.
Madkaikar said, “We had decided that we would renew the licences of the 72 genuine handcarts, but 88 handcarts have valid documents. So we will be putting the matter before the council meeting on April 25 and then take a decision as all 88 have been paying fees and taxes and carrying out business.”
He further said that the market committee has decided to declare the 18th June road as ‘no-handcart zone’ to allow a smooth flow of traffic and avoid congestion on the busy road.
Madkaikar stated that in order to avoid duplication of numbers and certificates, as is the case of around 22 handcarts currently operating illegally, CCP has ordered for special embossed display cards with the numbers and details of the owner.
After the High Court directions, Panjim Mayor Surendra Furtado had asked the Commissioner to initiate action against illegal handcarts as they were causing problem to the pedestrians and traffic.
