MARGAO
On June 18, 2018, former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar descended on the SGPDA retail fish market with then TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai in tow to inaugurate the fish market renovated on the line of the famous Dubai fish market.
The market makeover a la the Dubai fish market was initiated by the TCP Minister to give the mega market a new look soon after he allied with the BJP to form the government after the 2017 Assembly polls.
Four years down the lane, the market is crying for attention. Its deteriorating condition has become a cause of concern, with the unsanitary conditions posing a nuisance and health hazard to vendors and shoppers.
Reason: The standoff between the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) and the vendors over the payment of fees and amenities has thrown up issues over sanitation and unhygienic conditions in the mega market.
Consider this: An overflowing chamber welcomed shoppers to the SGPDA retail fish market. The gutters are all clogged with waste. Shoppers complain of unhygienic conditions inside the market. Drains around the market emit a foul odour, indicating they are clogged with waste.
That’s not all. A mini-waste dump is taking shape near the fish market, with waste finding its way along the footpath, just metres away from the fish-cutting shed.
What has brought the retail fish market to its present condition is the deadlock between the vendors and the SGPDA authority over the payment of fees. Maintenance of the market has come to a stage with the SGPDA imposing a precondition that it will provide the amenities only upon payment of enhanced fees by the vendors and the sellers insisting on a resolution of long-standing issues plaguing the market.
Caught in the crossfire between the SGPDA and the vendors are the fish lovers and shoppers for no fault of theirs. Hopes were raised a couple of months ago that the situation may improve after Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar took over the reins of SGPDA as chairman. Sadly, the stalemate appears far from over with the two sides sticking to their guns.
The vendors are presently paying a fee of Rs 10 to the PDA for maintenance. The PDA, however, has insisted that the fee is too less, not enough to provide improved services in the market. The PDA had resolved to fix a fee of Rs 50 a day per vendor to recover the cost of maintenance. Vendors, however, rejected the hike forthrightly but agreed to pay Rs 30 per day, on the condition that the PDA first make available the amenities, including water, light, cleanliness etc and also stop retail fish activities at the wholesale fish market.
President of Margao fish vendors association Felix Gonsalves did not stop pointing accusing fingers at the SGPDA, laying the blame at the PDA doorsteps over the stink. “Let the PDA prove its credentials by getting rid of retail fish activity at the wholesale market and also provide us with the basic amenities and we will all pay the maintenance fee of Rs 30 per day,” Felix added.
SGPDA chairman blames vendors for market mess
MARGAO
SGPDA Chairman Krishna Salkar has sought to blame the vendors for the mess in the retail fish market, warning that the PDA will be left with no option but to crack a whip to put things in order.
Speaking to The Goan, Salkar said the PDA tried to reach out to the vendors with a maintenance fee to spruce up the market. He, however, hastened to add that the vendors are not ready to cooperate.
“After assuming office, I tried my best to the market in order, by clearing various dues running into lakhs of rupees. But, we have reached a stage wherein the vendors too should cooperate so that whatever fees collected from the market is spent on the maintenance,” he said.
Salkar said he would now ask the newly-appointed SGPDA member secretary to invite the vendors for a discussion of all issues and resolve them amicably.
“If the deadlock persists and the vendors are not ready to see reason, we will be forced to take some action,” he warned.
Citizens question MLAs' silence
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Will the Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and his Fatorda counterpart Vijai Sardesai step in to give relief to the citizens shopping at the retail market, who are caught in the crossfire between the SGPDA management and the vendors over the payment of fees?
Both Kamat and Sardesai are members of the SGPDA and none other than the two MLAs know about the unsanitary conditions at the retail market, mostly patronised by citizens of their constituencies.
Fish vendors and citizens sought to question the two MLAs for their silence over the deteriorating conditions in the market.
“Why should citizens and shoppers suffer just because of the standoff between the PDA and the vendors,” questioned a citizen of Fatorda.
He added: “Recently, there was a report from a doctor attached to the veterinary hospital, Sonsodo suggesting cases of leptospirosis among stray dogs in the markets, including the PDA fish market. Before another disease raises an ugly head in the market, the MLAs should intervene and put the market in order.”
