the goan I network
PORVORIM
The notice stated: “Warning to the public - The public are hereby informed to keep away from the building.’
The condition of the old market has become dilapidated and in 2014, some portion of the roof of the market had collapsed.
Housing Board Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar said GHB in order to safeguard their interest has pasted a notice on the post office, located in the market, directing the general public to keep away from the building.
A social worker, Bhiku Sawant said in the old market, there is a post office and ration shop.
“The residents are required to visit the ration shop to purchase rice, wheat, etc. Similarly in the post office, hundreds of people have their accounts and they are required to go to the post office to deposit and withdraw money, purchase stamps, send registered letters, etc.”
“It is not fair on the part of the Goa Housing Board to direct the people to keep away from the old market,” said Sawant.
The shopkeepers said last year, they had sent a letter of the then chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar and also to GHB, requesting them to shift the shops in the new market complex as the condition of the old market has become pathetic.
“GHB should have completed the work of the shops in the new market on priority basis and rest of the work later. In fact, the work on the new market had commenced in 2014 and GHB had assured the shopkeepers that the work would be completed within 18 months,” said a shopkeeper.
“But the work has still not been completed and now we have received a notice from the GHB to vacate the premises.
GHB cannot shy away from their responsibility and if any tragedy occurs in this monsoon, then it would be solely responsible for the same,” said the shopkeeper.
