Francis orders crackdown on illegal food carts in city

NT NETWORK

PANAJI

Urban Development Minister Francis D’Souza on Tuesday directed the Corporation of the City of Panaji to remove all illegal handcarts (gaddas) from the city and streamline the system for issuing trade licenses and payment of taxes.

The Minister also directed the CCP mayor, Vithal Chopdekar and Commissioner, Ajit Roy, to look into grievances of hoteliers and traders in the city.

D’souza held a meeting with a delegation of Panaji Hotel and Traders Association (PHATA) at Secretariat on Tuesday, in the presence of the Secretary (Urban Development), CCP Mayor and Commissioner.

Speaking to media after the meeting the Urban Development Minister said that they (PHATA) have many issues including heavy sanitation taxes levied by the CCP and lack of transparent system to issue trade licenses and payment of taxes, besides issue of illegal handcarts which have been serving foods.

“I have directed CCP to remove illegal gaddas which are operating without permissions of authorities. I have also asked CCP to go online for issuing trade licenses and payment of all kinds of taxes,” he informed. He further said that the Commissioner has assured that the functioning of the CCP would be online in the next two months and the steps have been taken to rationalise the various taxes including sanitation taxes for hoteliers and other traders.

Convenor of PHATA, Barnabe Sapeco informed the media that the association has submitted a memorandum listing various demands including the introduction of a single window system in CCP for trade licenses and payment of taxes.

He further said that the delegation has also demanded a probe in the increase of handcarts in CCP jurisdiction. The secretary of PHATA, Ricardo Rebello alleged that CCP is full of corruption.

“Hoteliers and other traders have to deal with almost 12 various departments for trade licenses. This process has to be brought under single window system in CCP. We have also demanded transparency in the functioning of CCP,” he added.

Another member said that CCP has levied common sanitation tax to the establishment which does not create big quantum of waste and having its own garbage treatment plant, which needs to be rectified.