TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: The Mapusa Municipal Council on Monday unanimously approved the master plan of the Mapusa Municipal Market, along with modifications recommended by the councillors.
MMC Chairperson Sandeep Falari presented before the council some modifications carried out in the master plan of the MMC market by the consultant, as suggested by the councillors.
The MMC’s Town Vending Committee will prepare a hawkers/vendors zone. Till this zone is created, the existing vendors and hawker sitting on the streets in the market place will not be displaced. Instead, their sitting arrangement will be streamlined.
A second modification involves increasing the height of some shops in the market to create a mezzanine floor, so that all the shops will have a uniform look. With the increase in height of the shops, MMC is expected to get additional revenue by way of higher rent.
In a third modification, the MMC will request the government to shift the existing sub yard on the outskirts of Mapusa and to hand over the present sub yard to MMC to expand the market.
The councillors also discussed the proposal to construct a one-storeyed building in place of the existing flower market and all existing vendors and shopkeepers will be adjusted on the ground floor in consultation with all stakeholders. The councillors approved the modifications after discussions.
Falari stated that that since the master plan of the market has now been approved with modifications, it will be forwarded to the consultant to be submitted to the Goa State Urban Development Agency.
To amend byelaws to seal shops
MAPUSA: In a significant move, the Mapusa Municipal Council has decided to amend the byelaw of the Trade and Occupational Licensing Byelaws 1989 to empower its taxation department to seal the shops operating without trade or occupation licence. At its bi-monthly council meeting on Monday, MMC Chairperson Sandeep Falari mentioned that some businessmen/shopkeepers have not obtained the Trade and Occupational Licence from MMC, as required under the Trade and Occupational Licensing Bye-Laws 1989 despite publication of notices in newspapers and show cause notices.
“MMC can only impose fines on such erring shopkeepers and businessmen. There is no provision in the bye-law to seal or penalize the business/occupation premises which is being used without trade or occupation licence. It is therefore necessary to amend the bye-law,” said Falari.
After detailed discussions, it was agreed to amend the bye-law of the Trade and Occupational Licensing Bye-Laws to permit the taxation department to seal the shops operating without trade licence.
Falari also informed the councillors that as per a circular from the Director of Municipal Administration, illegal houses built prior to May 2000 on comuniade land need to be regularized.
“If these houses are given house numbers, the MMC can collect taxes from the house owners,” said Falari.
After a discussion, it was decided to assess the illegal houses built on the comunidade land prior to May 2000 and present the list before the next council meeting for appropriate action.
Falari further mentioned that a request has come from Asavari Kulkarni for financial assistance for a book on ‘Mapusa Friday market’ to be written by her. The MMC decided to offer financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to Kulkarni.
