MLA Joshua D’Souza Holds Key Meeting with Mapusa Merchants Association to Address Grievances

MLA Joshua D’Souza Holds Key Meeting with Mapusa Merchants Association to Address Grievances

Mapusa, June 20, 2025:
In a proactive move to address the concerns raised by the Mapusa Merchants Association, Mapusa MLA Shri Joshua D’Souza convened a crucial meeting today with senior officials from the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) and the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC).

The meeting was held in response to a representation submitted to the MLA’s office by the Mapusa Merchants Association, led by Shri Jitendra Falari, highlighting several grievances and requesting the intervention of the local representative.

Present at the meeting were Director of Municipal Administration Shri Brijesh Manerkar, Deputy Director Smt. Nadia Shekoli, and Chief Officer of MMC Shri Chandrakant Shetkar. After detailed discussions, MLA D’Souza announced that consensus had been reached on several key demands, ensuring a positive outcome for the merchants.

Key Decisions Announced:

1. Sanitation Fee (2024-2025):
   The sanitation fee for the year 2024-2025 will be charged as usual, as there is no contention regarding the current year.
2. Sanitation Fee (2021-2024):
   Charges from the years 2021-2024 will be treated as optional pending further clarification from the Directorate of Municipal Administration.
3. No Link Between Sanitation Charges and Trade License Renewals:
   It was agreed that sanitation charges will no longer be a precondition for renewal of trade licenses.
4. Retrospective Taxation Review:
   The DMA will seek legal opinion on the claim of retrospective tax imposition before any further action.
5. Re-categorization of Shops and Kiosks:
   Shops/kiosks that may have been wrongly categorized will be reviewed on a case-to-case basis by the MMC Accounts Officer. Affected vendors are encouraged to approach the MMC for redressal, and necessary corrections will be made and adjusted accordingly.
6. Pending Renewals:
   The Chief Officer has been instructed to expedite the renewal process of shops currently pending before the council.

MLA Joshua D’Souza appealed to the merchant community not to keep the Mapusa Market closed on Mondays, stating, “This will only lead to inconvenience for patrons and cause revenue loss for the vendors themselves. We are committed to resolving these matters swiftly and within the boundaries of the law.”

The meeting was hailed as a positive step towards restoring trust and cooperation between local businesses and civic authorities.

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