PANJIM: Former Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) corporator Menino D’Cruz on Friday slammed the CCP for closing the municipal market without making alternate arrangements and causing inconvenience to the citizens.
D’Cruz also alleged that Panjim MLA Babush Monserrate for fooling the tenants that he will sign lease agreement with them by June 1.
Speaking to reporters, D’Cruz said that CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate and the market committee closed the municipal market due to spike in Coronavirus cases but failed to make alternate arrangements. He said that many poor vendors are now finding it difficult to sell their essential commodities and make a living while, citizens are also facing hardships in getting vegetables and fruits.
He demanded that vendors selling essential commodities should be allowed from 7 am to 1 pm.
Stating that the CCP is now asking traders to pay commercial taxes, D’Cruz said that the last CCP body had passed a resolution to waive taxes of traders for four months in view of COVID-19 pandemic. “The last year’s resolution is not yet implemented,” he said demanding that the traders be now given another two months waiver due to curfew.
The former corporator ridiculed Monserrate’s statement that he will sign lease agreement with the market traders by June 1. Monserrate is fooling the traders and people because leave and licence agreement or lease agreement cannot be implemented by June 1 due to lengthy procedures.
The Panjim MLA failed to remove off-shore casinos within 100 days after his election while, he had failed to take measures to stop flooding at Mala, Panjim.
D’Cruz also alleged that the current Mayor has appointed a person as `OSD’ illegally and without approval, who is now dictating terms and interfering in transfer of CCP staff allegedly with the help of commissioner.
