MMC tightens screws on illegal handcarts

MMC tightens screws on illegal handcarts
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, APRIL 27
Tightening screws on mushrooming illegal handcarts in the commercial capital, the Margao Municipal Council on Tuesday resolved not to renew the licenses of the carts unless the owners are issued identity cards by the civic body.
This was decided at the meeting of the Municipal Market Committee, wherein it was resolved to implement the identity card rule with immediate effect.
Newly-posted Chief Officer Y B Tawde made the suggestion to the Market panel for the issuance of identity cards to the license holds to keep a close check on the illegal handcarts in the city.
Tawde pointed out that allegations are galore that three-four handcarts are moving around the city under the single license issued by the civic body, adding that the identity cards to the license holders would stop the misuse of the handcart license.
Sources in the know said the ID provision, if implemented successfully, would hit the mafia involved in the handcart racket as a large number of illegal handcarts are moving around the city and doing business sans the municipal license.
The ID measure comes against the backdrop of the directives from the district Traffic Committee to crack a whip against the handcarts moving on the city roads and creating traffic bottlenecks.
Meanwhile, the Market Committee also deliberated on the renewal of lease agreements with the stall owners in the municipal markets.
Tawde informed that there are many applications which are pending in the civic body for renewal of the lease agreements, adding that all the applications will be cleared after following the prescribed rules.