PANJIM: In a major decision, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), on Monday, decided to suspend the licences of 80 mobile carts and gaddas, for operating without the requisite permission from the Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and working in unhygienic condition.
CCP during its ordinary meeting, chaired by Mayor Uday Madkaikar informed that ‘of the total 92 trade licences issued to these kiosk and mobile carts, only 12 have obtained all the required permissions and will be allowed to be operational. “Licences of the balance 80 will be suspended,” Madkaikar told the council.
The Mayor also said that the Corporation will also identify hawkers zone to accommodate these food carts, which are at present spread over the city at Miramar, Caranzalem garden, near Caculo Mall, Inox and other places.
In a note tabled during the meeting, it has reportedly been mentioned that the FDA has verbally objected granting licences mentioning that they are running the activities without valid licences from their department. “Also, the gadda owners have obtained licences for one activity but it is seen that they are running more than one activity,” the note added.
It further states, “it is also submitted that the hoteliers of Panjim jurisdiction are making the complaints that due to these gaddas their businesses have been affected.”
Mayor informed that Panjim MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate has requested to place the matter before the Corporation for an appropriate decision.
Further, the council also decided to extend the pay parking system to six new locations, which have been already identified as pay-parking areas by the North Goa Collector through a notification dated August 8, 2014.
These include TB Cunha Road from Church Square junction, CCP building to Cafe Real, Azad Maidan corner, Menezes Braganza Road, Antao de Noronha Road, General Bernardo Guedes Road, Governador Pestana Road and Caetano Albuquerque Road.
Also, the Corporation is likely to take the pay parking at MG Road, Dr Jack Sequeira Road from Gasper Dias to Science Centre (both sides) and EDC Patto Plaza, for which a notification from the Collector (North) is required.
Currently, pay parking is implemented in nine places.
The meeting also discussed taking over EDC Plaza complex for maintenance of services like sanitation, drainage, road and pay parking. While CCP proposed to outsource the sanitation service, the rest would be taken care of by the corporation. The meeting, however, could not come to any conclusion; but Commissioner Sanjit Rodrigues said that the EDC complex would be taken over by CCP shortly, along with all the services.
