Goa, June 29 -- A group of concerned Margao residents, led by former municipal chairperson and Congress functionary Savio Coutinho, has alleged that an overwhelming majority of business units operating from Margao Municipal Council (MMC) properties are functioning without valid trade licences.

In a press briefing, Coutinho claimed that out of around 800 commercial establishments housed in municipal markets and other council-owned spaces, only 16 are officially licensed. According to him, the rest evade not just trade licence fees but also payments for signboards and sanitation services.

The citizens criticised what they described as a glaring case of administrative negligence and unfair enforcement. Coutinho accused MMC chairperson Damo...