MAPUSA: Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) convened a special meeting on Wednesday to discuss the potential arrangements for the upcoming festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.
MMC Chairperson Priya Mishal presided over the meeting. Councillor Tarak Arolkar cornered the chairperson by asking about what was done with the guthka worth Rs 2 lakh which was seized last year. Chief Officer Chandrakant Shetkar replied by saying that the substance was destroyed by burning it.
The issue of overcrowding of the market by vendors and the problem of traffic congestion during Ganesh Chaturthi was also discussed at the meeting. It was pointed out that the vendors set up their businesses wherever they find space, which cause traffic snarls.
Recently a meeting between Mapusa Traders Association and MMC was held to discuss the solution for the issue, wherein Councillor Ashriwad Khojurvekar had suggested utilising the free space near KTC bus stand for parking.
Councillor Sainath Raul suggested a short term tender notice to collect sopo tax during the festival, as the contract to collect the tax has not been given to anybody yet.
Locals had criticised the civic body of losing out on revenue by not giving the contract to collect the taxes.
Chairperson Misal clarified that during the festival, the municipal workers will be collecting the sopo tax.
Chief Officer Shetkar suggested that a new lawyer be hired as some shopkeepers were causing loss of revenue to MMC by subletting their shops. But, it was decided that the previous lawyer be rehired, as he was working for the civic body on full-time basis.
The MMC also unanimously decided to spend Rs 1.72 lakh from the municipal fund for painting the space in the municipal market where idol of the Lord Ganesh is worshipped. MMC also resolved to buy a truck, which will be used only to collect garbage from all the wards and two drivers will be appointed for the same.
Councillor Kyle Braganza requested all the councillors to allot space for vendors and garbage disposal.
