Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Simmering discontent among Mapusa’s business community erupted into a public showdown this week, with traders threatening a large-scale agitation if the long-pending matters of lease renewals and arrears are not settled by December 15 — a date they claim was promised by the local MLA.
More than 200 shopkeepers gathered at the market gate after closing time, marking one of the strongest displays of solidarity in recent months.
The mood was tense as speakers accused the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) of intentionally stalling decisions on renewal of lease deeds, blood transfers, third-party transfers and the computation of arrears.
Former Mapusa Merchants Association (MMA) president and ex-MMC chairperson Ashish Shirodkar launched a sharp attack on the civic body, alleging that the market had been reduced to a revenue-generating “cash cow,” with traders being pressured for money.
He also accused councillors of prioritising personal agendas and “fixing” instead of resolving the traders’ concerns.
The standoff deepened on Friday after Chief Officer Chandrakant Shetkar met the MMA committee, but the talks yielded no breakthrough.
Merchants said the meeting ended without clarity on the disputed arrears or the terms of renewal, leaving the situation at a complete standstill.
The growing frustration has now turned into open criticism of elected leaders. Several traders accused Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza of failing to intervene decisively.
Shirodkar said both councillors and the MLA had abandoned the business community despite being elected by them. “They have just three months left in office. Why should we expect anything when even our basic issues remain unresolved?” he remarked.
With the deadline looming, merchants have warned that they will escalate their agitation if authorities do not act swiftly.
