Summary:
The protest was peaceful.Urban development minister and Mapusa MLA Francis D’Souza, who will be out of station for treatment, unfurled the national flag at his residence. Led by the association’s president, Ashish Shirodkar, the merchants pressed for their demands, namely to constitute a town vending committee, identify vending zones, appoint a full time chief officer, promote traditional vendors and create parking space. MAPUSA: “Every state has to build on its plus points to contribute to nation building,” revenue minister Rohan Khaunte said after unfurling the national flag at Mapusa on the occasion of Independence Day Stating that the government’s industrial, start-up and IT policies were receiving good response, the minister said, “These policies have led to skill development, encouraged innovation, etc.” He also spoke of how the government had made it easier for people to obtain important documents online and free of cost.Khaunte said that under chief minister Manohar Parrikar’s leadership the government had done a lot for the people.There will soon be a Revenue Bhavan in Porvorim and Mapusa, which will help the people, he said.On a more general note, he called on people to rally together to solve challenges like terrorism and assaults on women.Chairperson Mapusa municipal council (MMC) Ryan Braganza, MMC councillors and students participated in the celebration by singing patriotic songs.On the occasion, Mapusa Merchants Association held a symbolic protest..