Quepem: All shops in Sanguem town remained shut in response to the Sanguem Merchant Association’s bandh call. The shopkeepers started business only in the afternoon to cater to people during Chaturthi festivities.In another development, all shopkeepers with rented premises agreed to pay their outstanding dues to the Sanguem Municipal Council (SMC) after submitting a protest letter to the council on Wednesday. The bandh had been called to protest against the SMC’s decision to set a two-day deadline to pay arrears.According to an order, dated August 8, issued by Ramesh P Naik, additional director of department of urban development, the dues have to be paid in eight installments. The quarterly instalments include 5% annual increase from the year 1996 to 2018.SMC chairperson Romaldo Fernandes said that the council had sought legal advice whether it can allow as much time for recovery of dues. “Accordingly, the council will decide on the time limit of the eight installments,” said Fernandes.Earlier in the morning, all the shopkeepers gathered held a protest rally against the municipal council. Members of the association held a meeting with the municipal chief officer, chairperson and engineer for about two hours, following which the shopkeepers agreed to pay their arrears in eight instalments.The traders alleged that all the confusion was a creation of the council which gave a deadline of only two days to pay the dues, even though chief minister Manohar Parrikar had said in the assembly that three years would be given to recover the arrears.Chief officer Laxmikant Dessai said the council will not renew any agreement till the arrears are recovered. As many as 157 shopkeepers are yet to renew their agreements since 1996.

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