Team Herald
PANJIM: Residents of Panjim had to face major hardship on Thursday, as the City municipal market remained closed in protest against the City Corporation’s drive to clear the alleged illegal encroachments in the market premise.
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The bandh was also called by the traders to protest against the government’s Municipality Amendment (Ordinance) Act 2020, which is currently being kept in abeyance.
The market vendors and traders this morning gathered in large groups outside the premise and unanimously decided to shut their business for the day.
The merchants termed the action of Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) as ‘illegal’. They were referring to CCP demolishing and dismantling certain parts of the shops in the market, on the grounds that they were encroachments.. The merchants said that CCP should have issued show cause notice; if the shops had illegally encroached, before taking action.
“The government has neglected the plight of the market. They have failed to carry out the repair work. Even the bare minimum work of regularly installing new tube lights and bulbs has not been done by them,” they alleged.
The merchants were enraged as many shops were inspected by FDA, following which CCP acted.
The traders also extended support to the shopkeepers and traders, from other municipal areas, protesting against the Municipality amendment.
The traders claim that though the ACT is not applicable to them, being governed under CCP Act, the apprehensions exist over possible amendment to the Corporation rules.
Panjim Mayor Uday Madkaikar, however, justified the action stating that everything was done as per the law.
“There are few shops found to be selling illegal Gutka and other tobacco products, while others had violated safety standards. FDA had issued us necessary directions to act and hence it was imperative to take action against violators,” he said.
