TEAM HERALD
VASCO: The exhibition-cum-sale centres have been attracting a large crowd in the port town, but many of these centres do not have permission from either the municipal council or fire services to operate the activity.
In one such exhibition, an exhibition centre is presently underway at the bus stand at Vasco and the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has admitted that it is yet to grant permission to the exhibition centre.
When contacted, MMC Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes said though MMC has received an application, they have not granted any permission to the organisers.
When brought to his notice that the organiser has sought permission to erect pandal on 100 metres of land, but had reportedly erected the pandal on over 400 metres of space, Fernandes said he would ask the municipal inspector to measure the area and charge fees as per the area occupied.
When asked whether the organiser had obtained an NOC from the fire department, Fernandes said the MMC permission would include a clause that the organiser would have to obtain an NOC from the fire department.
When contacted, the organiser was not present at the site, but one representative present at the stalls said they have started the sale and they are yet to get the required permissions, for which they have already applied.
When asked if they had obtained an NOC from the fire department, the representative pulled out a fire extinguisher cylinder and said they are prepared for any emergency.
When pressed further whether they had obtained an NOC from the fire department, he replied in the negative.
Asked whether they had informed the sales tax office about the exhibition centre, the representative also replied in the negative.
