Daijiworld Media Network - Mapusa

Mapusa, Jun 22: The Mapusa Merchants’ Association (MMA) has officially withdrawn its call for a complete voluntary shutdown of Mapusa scheduled for Monday, following the intervention of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the acceptance of all their demands by the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC).

The shutdown was initially planned in protest against the controversial sanitation fee imposed by the MMC, which the association described as “arbitrary, irrational, and unjustified.”

The MMA had put forward four key non-negotiable demands:

1. Revision of the sanitation fee
2. No retroactive recovery of fees for the past five years
3. Refund of payments already made
4. Extension of the May 31 trade license renewal deadline, with penalties waived

On Saturday, a crucial meeting was convened by the Chief Minister with Deputy Speaker and Mapusa MLA Joshua D'Souza, MMA office bearers including President Jitendra Falari, General Secretary Siddhesh Raut, Treasurer Rajesh Gavas, Vice President Anish Joshi, and MMC Chief Officer Chandrakant Shetkar. Notably, MMC Chairperson Priya Mishal was absent from the meeting.

After discussions, the MMC Chief Officer agreed to all four demands, following the CM’s guidance.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, MMA President Jitendra Falari expressed gratitude:

“We are thankful to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and MLA Joshua D'Souza for their swift intervention. Since our demands have been met, we are calling off Monday’s planned shutdown.”

Echoing the sentiment, Deputy Speaker D'Souza confirmed:

“All of the association’s demands were accepted during the meeting.”

With this resolution, tensions between the business community and the municipal body have eased, ensuring uninterrupted commerce in Mapusa.