MAPUSA
Raising the issue of uncontrolled vendor activities in the municipal market, the Mapusa Merchants Association (MMA) President Shripad Sawant on Monday said vendors in the market are occupying more space than they are allocated and displaying their goods in a manner, which is blocking the visibility and entrance of shops.
“There is no proper space left in these vendor zones for people to move freely in the market. The vendors are allowed to keep their goods on roads at night which is risky in case of a fire incident,” Sawant said.
The MMA suggested maintaining a record of all vendors and issuing proper ID cards to them.
They also suggested proper marking of space allotted to these vendors and further sought strict action against those who violate the rules.
The merchants also called for maintaining proper pathways in vending zones for the public to move across freely and to prohibit uncontrolled display of goods and umbrellas.
Mapusa Chief Officer Amitesh Shirvoikar informed of constituting a town vending committee (TVC) within two weeks to bring about discipline among the vendor community.
“We will call a meeting of all stakeholders and form the town vending committee immediately. We want a well organised market which will benefit everyone, especially the consumers who visit the market,” Shirvoikar said.
In the past, steps were taken to form a town vending committee but the committee was only on paper and no constructive decisions were taken to streamline the vendors in the municipal market.
