Archive · 2 Jun 2025
Margao's Licensing Flaw: Unsafe Buildings Still Hosting Businesses
Imagine some buildings in Margao are not safe, like they could fall down.
The local government, MMC, knows about them.
However, because of a mistake in how licenses are given, businesses are still allowed to operate in these unsafe buildings.
The system is supposed to check the buildings before giving a license, but it doesn't always happen.
This means people could be working or visiting these buildings without knowing they're dangerous.
The government is aware of the problem and is trying to fix it, but the process is slow.
It is creating a potentially dangerous situation.
A licensing flaw in Margao allows businesses to operate in buildings marked as unsafe.
The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) served notices to 56 buildings but only 21 are on the official unsafe list.
The digitised trade licensing process issues permits quickly without mandatory site inspections.
Former Chief Officer Gaurish Shankhwalkar discovered the loophole while revoking a trade license.
The lack of identification marks on unsafe buildings increases licensing errors.
- Who
- The Margao Municipal Council (MMC), businesses, and the South Goa collector.
- What
- A licensing flaw allows businesses to operate in unsafe buildings.
- When
- Recently, following the South Goa collector’s order.
- Where
- Margao, South Goa.
- Why
- A loophole in the licensing system allows businesses to operate in unsafe buildings, potentially endangering owners and customers.
- Buildings Served Notices
- 56
- Buildings on Unsafe List
- 21
- Legal Provision
- Section 190 of the Goa Municipalities Act
- Former Chief Officer
- Gaurish Shankhwalkar