TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
VASCO: While Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) is still in the process of issuing forms to erect stalls for the Lord Damodar Saptah on August 12, encroachments have already sprung up in the port town.
In one such case, some space at the staircase on the ground floor of Dr Kosambe Building, is being used to cook meals which are supplied to stall owners.
Incidentally, the encroachment is situated right below the Vasco health office, which is on the second floor of that very building.
Shopkeepers at the building claimed that the encroachment has been witnessed every year, with health authorities doing virtually nothing about the encroachment or activity inside it.
“The occupants illegally use domestic cylinder and cook food in very unhygienic conditions by using water used in the toilets. At the end of the day, the occupants make their money and leave the area dirty,” complained a shopkeeper.
When contacted, Vasco Health Officer Dr Vikas Kuvelkar said, “Such people mushroom during Saptah on the ground floor of the building and do business without any valid permission from the MMC,” added Dr Kuvelkar.
When contacted, MMC Chief Officer Y B Tavde said they are still in the process of issuing forms to the stall owners as August 5 is the last date and expressed surprise over the illegal occupation of the space.
Tavde immediately summoned all the market inspectors and directed them to inspect the site.
