45% of traders in Margao have no valid licences: Council chairperson

Margao:Margao Municipal Council (MMC) chairperson Damodar Shirodkar on Tuesday disclosed that approximately 45% of traders in Margao are conducting business without valid trade licences.
The primary reason for this non-compliance, according to Shirodkar, is the absence of updated leave and licence agreements between shop owners and their tenants. “Many applications for trade licences are pending with the MMC as they cannot be processed without proper agreements in place,” Shirodkar explained, adding that the council was currently exploring legal solutions to address this issue.
This disclosure comes amid ongoing controversy over the recent hike in municipal taxes and fees. Congress has accused Margao MLA Digambar Kamat of having a hand behind the exercise. Defending the council’s decision, Shirodkar clarified that Kamat had no role in the increase. “The council conducted a comparative study of fees charged by other municipalities in Goa before rationalising our rates. We ensured the common man wasn’t overburdened,” he said.
Shirodkar added that the MMC faces significant operational costs, including Rs 2.5 crore every month for staff salaries and an additional Rs 50 lakh for vehicle maintenance and office expenses.
The issue of unlicensed trading has emerged just days after Congress’ strong opposition to the municipal tax hikes, which they claim range from 50% to 500%. Shirodkar said the last hike in taxes by MMC was done in 2004. He said the latest hike was necessary as the MMC needs to balance revenue generation with regulatory compliance while ensuring the sustainability of local businesses.