Mapusa Merchants Association (MMA) has strongly urged the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) to clear all pending applications and overhaul the current system to make it more efficient and transparent.
MMA President Jitendra Falari expressed disappointment, noting that the previous system allowed for immediate renewal at the counter, enabling traders to carry on with their business without disruption. “Now, even after submitting all required documents and following up multiple times, there is no clarity or action. This uncertainty is hurting day-to-day operations and affecting our ability to stay compliant with government regulations,” Falari said. In a meeting held with the MMC’s Chief Officer, MMA representatives outlined the mounting challenges caused by the newly introduced renewal process.
The association also submitted a formal complaint to the Director of Urban Development, highlighting the impact of these delays on local commerce. According to traders, the new system requires a minimum of 15 days to process renewals, leaving many applications from 2023 still pending and unresolved.
Adding to the concern, MMA Secretary Siddhesh Raut described the new mechanism as unnecessarily complicated and urged authorities to either reinstate the old, more responsive system or introduce a simplified and time-bound digital process. He stressed that the delays are causing widespread anxiety among the business community and should be addressed without further delay.
While MMC has yet to issue an official response, sources within the administration indicate that steps are being explored to streamline the procedure and reduce the backlog.