Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jan 4: Voicing against the recent ordinance implemented by the government regarding municipal shops and properties, the Mapusa Merchants Association decided on Sunday to shut all municipal shops on January 7 and hold a protest at the Azad Maidan, Panaji.

"The ordinance will be a death knell to the traditional Goan merchants," said the association. Further, the members stated that under the ordinance the government has given itself the power to seal, repossess and even re-auction municipal shops and commercial spaces.

The ordinance lays down a new procedure for regularisation of premises and also stringent punishment for subletting of municipal properties President of the New Market Traders’ Association Vinod Shirodkar said that instead of being sympathetic towards the merchants’ community, the government is out to finish Goans in business and trading. “We will also meet the Mapusa MLA and urge him to take part in the agitation at Azad Maidan,” he said.