REPEAL GOA MUNICIPALITIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, DEMAND ALL GOA MERCHANTS
PANAJI: All Goa Merchant Association United Forum on Friday urged the Goa Government to immediately repeal The Goa Municipalities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 or to refer it to the Select Committee under the chairmanship of Urban Development Minister Milind Naik.
Addressing a press conference at the Panaji municipal market, All Goa Merchant Association United Forum convenor Ashish Shirodkar said that they have submitted a representation to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and have suggested charges to the Ordinance so as to protect the interest of traders.
He said that Government’s decision to terminate leases after 10 years will tremendously affect the traders, merchants and other holders who have been traditionally carrying out their business activity in the leased shop for generations after generation.
Shirodkar further mentioned that increase in rent by 10 per cent every year was exorbitant and was not acceptable to them.
The All Goa Merchant Association United Forum demanded that provision authorising municipal body to hand over premises to private developers for redevelopment purpose; automatic termination if lease not renewed and rent not paid and provision regarding transfer of municipal properties be scrapped.
They appealed to the Government to hold wide consultation with all stakeholders before making any changes in the Goa Municipalities Act.
