MAPUSA: Mapusa Market vendors who held a protest and downed their shutters on Thursday in protest against the proposed increase in shop rent by the Mapusa Municipality, called off their protests after the local MLA Joshua D’Souza assured them that he would address the issue.
Following discussions with the Mapusa MLA, the vendors confirmed the withdrawal of their protest, citing the MLA’s commitment to addressing the matter and taking necessary action. MLA D’Souza announced a scheduled meeting for Thursday evening to delve into the details of the rent hike issue and make an informed decision.
The vendors had on January 8 appealed to the MMC to reconsider their decision, emphasizing the substantial financial burden the rent hike would impose on their businesses. They had given the MMC eight days to withdraw the proposed rent hike. As it is the MMC raises the rent by 10% every year, they stated.
Former chairperson of MMC Ashish Shirodkar said, “The MMC hikes rents by 100%. It should be increased by 10% only. The councillors are not bothered about the vendors, they feel what they do is final. If councillors are representatives of the people, they would not have taken such decisions.”
