PANJIM: The State government on Monday directed municipal councils not to issue any separate permissions for opening of shops in their jurisdiction, as the same is been permitted by Union Ministry for Home Affairs.
The directions by Department of Urban Development were issued after Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) was exposed on social media for charging Rs 500 as permission fees from the shopkeepers to allow their stores to open. CCP has now decided to refund the amount.
In a circular issued to the Commissioner, CCP and all the chief officers of municipal councils, Director Urban Development Dr Tariq Thomas said that no separate permissions are required to be issued for opening of shops as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In order to allow stores, other than standalone shops, on the busiest 18 June Road and M G Road, to function on alternate days, the CCP had directed the shopkeepers to apply for permission. A processing fee of Rs 500 was charged.
Clarifying on the issue, City Mayor Uday Madkaikar said that the move to apply for permission was basically to ensure that limited shops are open and that too on alternate days.
“The basic idea was to avoid crowding. There was no other intension,” he explained.
Madkaikar said that Corporation has withdrawn the decision of granting permission and has allowed all to function.
“We will also refund the amount to all those, who were granted permissions earlier,” he said.
Mayor has however, appealed to the shopkeepers to ensure that guidelines like social distancing, sanitising the shops, compulsory wearing of masks and limited staff at work, are followed.
Meanwhile, Mayor found himself in midst of controversy over purchase of new official car worth Rs 16.70 lakh.
Former Panjim BJP MLA Sidharth Kuncolienkar took on social media to point out the wasteful expenditure incurred by the Mayor during the lockdown crisis.
“Sure this #lockdownPurchase of Rs 30 lakh luxury car by @BJP4Goa’s #CCP mayor today is also mistake. Hope @goacm @DrPramodPSawant note this wasteful expenditure during #Goafightcovid. Hope that other funds collected under COVID are used wisely,” he tweeted.
Responding to the same, Madkaikar apologised for purchasing the car during lockdown crisis. However, said that the proposal for the same was moved before government in May, last year.
“Initially the sanction was upto Rs 14 lakh, but the car price value was Rs 16.70 lakh. Through recent decision, the government has fixed ceiling upto Rs 20 lakh for Mayor and hence, Finance Department granted approval for same,” he said.
“It is unfortunate that the showroom opened yesterday (Monday) and the car was delivered. But I am not going to use it. For now, I will continue to use my old vehicle,” he said.
