MARGAO: Taking serious note of a complaint regarding alleged illegal activities in the Municipal market, Chief Officer Srinet Kothwale issued a stop work order to the concerned party on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Councillor Mahesh Amonkar has accused a person named Shaabir from Karwar of fraudulently selling shops owned by the civic body to migrants. The Gandhi Market also faced scrutiny after a complaint was filed by Akkash Shaikh regarding illegal activities, prompting an inspection of the shops by the civic body.

The stop work notice stated that during the inspection, it was discovered that the partition wall between two shops had been unlawfully removed, resulting in the merging of the two into a single unit. This unauthorised modification was carried out without the prior permission of the council, as required under Section 184 of the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968. It is important to note that the property of the Municipal market building is owned by the council.

Furthermore, Councillor Mahesh Amonkar alleged that illegal activities are ongoing in both markets owned by the civic body, and the lack of timely action has worsened the situation.

“It has come to light that Shaabir from Karwar is involved in the unauthorised sale of at least 20 shops in the Gandhi market to

migrants, without the municipality’s knowledge,” he claimed. He demanded a swift investigation into the matter.