The Government of Goa on 28th July 2022, has notified the City of Panaji Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 through which it seeks to insert new section 242A in the City of Panaji Corporation Act, 2002 (Goa Act of 2003) so as to streamline the trade licenses in the Municipal Corporation Area.
As per the new section 242A, If any person without obtaining a licence from the Commissioner carries on any trade or occupation in any premises within the limits of the Corporation area, the Commissioner shall, after giving an opportunity of being heard to such person, pass an order to seal such premises.
Provided that if an application for licence is submitted to the Corporation the premises shall not be sealed till such time said application is rejected on merit:
Provided further that no such premises shall be sealed till the time of expiry of the period allowed to the applicant for rectifying the defect found by the Commissioner.
Further section 397 which deals with Punishment for essential officer leaving employment has been substituted as follows:
Any essential officer or servant contravening any of the provisions of section shall on conviction, be punished in the case of a first conviction with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees and in case of a second one subsequent conviction, with fine of fifteen thousand rupees.
