Shahin Bepari Lambe
Panaji
The long-pending issue of lease agreements between traders and the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has resurfaced, with several traders claiming the matter has remained unresolved since their
rehabilitation in 2003.
Around 400 traders and vendors have been operating in the Panaji municipal market complex since their rehabilitation, but a formal lease agreement with the CCP has still not been signed. Traders say they were promised a lease for 33 years, renewable up to 99 years, but instead a “leave and licence” system is being offered by
the CCP.
“Few among us had also paid for the construction cost of the ground floor shops, which was around Rs 1.20 lakh per shop, while those on the first floor paid around Rs 7,000,” a trader said. “We are ready to pay all dues pending since 2003 but want the authorities to provide us time. What we want is security for
our business.”
Apart from the lease issue, traders raised concerns over the market’s management and facilities. Vendors complained of non-functioning lights and fans, uneven
enforcement of rules, inadequate shop sizes, absence of drinking water, poorly maintained washrooms, water leakages during the monsoon, and damaged lifts and
electric meters.
“Vegetables, fruits and flowers should be in proper lines, but at present everything is mixed and scattered,” one vendor said. Another added, “During the monsoon, we end up putting tarpaulin at our own cost. Small-scale vendors face major difficulties due to water leakages.”
A member of the Panaji municipal market tenant association noted that while some cleanliness efforts have been made, visitors’ lack of civic sense continues to be a problem. “People litter everywhere and spit around the market,” he said.
The president of the Panaji municipal market tenant association was unavailable for comment despite repeated calls.
