MAPUSA: Mapusa Merchants’ Association has strongly raised its objection to the recent ordinance promulgated by the State government regarding the municipal shops and properties in the State.
Association President Ashish Shirodkar said, ”This said amendment is a harsh provision which allows the government undue powers in local bodies’ functioning and is a death knell to traditional Goan merchants and traumatise thousands of Goan families.”
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“Thousands of Goan families are dependent on their traditional businesses which have been carried out from municipal premises as lessees. However, the government has given itself the power to seal, repossess and even re-auction municipal shops and commercial spaces without slightest compensation to the existing leaseholder,” Shirodkar said.
“This sudden and unexplained move of the government is most traumatising to the merchants who are still reeling under the economic hardship caused by COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of being sympathetic to the merchant community, this government is out to finish the Goans in business and trading,” Shirodkar charged.
“While casinos are granted relaxation in crores, the daily bread earning small businessmen are harassed by the unjust laws through the ordinance route. We appeal to all the associations/trade bodies of various municipal markets all over Goa to come out unitedly against this law and force the government to retract the same,” Shirodkar urged.
