MARGAO
A group of seafarers, who have been selling fish during the lockdown in Navelim, have alleged that the Navelim Panchayat has tried to stop their activity and livelihood.
Navelim Sarpanch Bevinda Gonsalves, however, refuted the allegations by saying the panchayat has only asked the group to stop selling the fish in vans after 9 am as the activity is going on adjoining the national highway.
Claiming they are seafarers, who have ventured into the business to make both ends meet in the time of lockdown with the shipping industry going through a crisis, the youngsters said they have not been causing any disturbance to traffic or people.
A youth Walter Fernandes claimed that they have been maintaining hygiene and sanitation at the place where they park their vans to ensure the activity does not cause any nuisance to anyone.
Taking up cudgels for the youngsters, resident of Navelim George Barretto wondered how the Navelim VP can displace the youngsters, who were have been rendered jobless because of the pandemic.
“Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized on livelihood during the pandemic. I fail to understand why the panchayat is after local Goan youth while turning a blind eye to the illegal migrant vendors,” he said, while warning that Navelim villagers will not tolerate any injustice to the local youth.
The Sarpanch said if they want, the youth can sit in the market and move towards the pick-up stand area and sell fish.
Gonsalves further pointed out that the panchayat has recently received a memorandum from the Salcete BDO mandating the local body to clear roadside vendors.
