MARGAO
Can TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai bring about a turnaround in the South Goa Planning and Development Authority's messy retail fish market when he visits it early Tuesday morning?
His predecessors, including Digambar Kamat and Babush Monserrate, had taken a similar initiative over half-a-decade ago, but the retail fish market is still craving for attention.
That the fish vendors have taken the first step by clearing the market passages and sitting on the platforms has created a conducive atmosphere in the market, but it has posed a challenge or two for the TCP Minister and the SGPDA - how to stop the retail sale of fish in the wholesale fish market?
While the fish vendors would certainly hope for an immediate stop to the retail sale of fish in the wholesale fish market, the vendors are also looking for a turnaround in the market with a fresh coat of paint, regular cleaning of the market, modification of the platforms to suit the needs of the vendors and adequate provision of power and water supply.
Says Felix Gonsalves, president Fish Vendors Association: "Our main concern is the retail sale of fish in the wholesale fish market. Our business has been adversely affected because of the retail fish sale in the wholesale market. Unless the PDA cracks a whip against the retail sale of fish in the wholesale fish market, our business would continue to suffer."
Felix also demanded streamlining of sale of fish market in the wholesale fish market on the platforms. "Most of the agents give their stock to the sub-agents. One way to stop retail sale is to ban sale of fish below five kilograms. A mechanism ought to be put in place to curb retail sale in the wholesale fish market," he added.
The TCP Minister, however, exuded confidence that things will fall in place at the PDA retail fish market as well as the wholesale fish market. "I am confident of a turnaround in the market. At the same time, we will ensure that retail sale of fish in the wholesale fish market is minimized if not stopped totally," Vijai said.
Incidentally, Vijai had once accompanied then TCP Minister Babush Monserrate in the PDA retail fish market, but the ground reality remained unchanged. "That time, Babush had come to the market to find out whether the retail fish market can be handed over to the MMC. Today, the situation is different. What the market needs is basic amenities and a spruce up," he said.
Can TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai bring about a turnaround in the South Goa Planning and Development Authority's messy retail fish market when he visits it early Tuesday morning?
His predecessors, including Digambar Kamat and Babush Monserrate, had taken a similar initiative over half-a-decade ago, but the retail fish market is still craving for attention.
That the fish vendors have taken the first step by clearing the market passages and sitting on the platforms has created a conducive atmosphere in the market, but it has posed a challenge or two for the TCP Minister and the SGPDA - how to stop the retail sale of fish in the wholesale fish market?
While the fish vendors would certainly hope for an immediate stop to the retail sale of fish in the wholesale fish market, the vendors are also looking for a turnaround in the market with a fresh coat of paint, regular cleaning of the market, modification of the platforms to suit the needs of the vendors and adequate provision of power and water supply.
Says Felix Gonsalves, president Fish Vendors Association: "Our main concern is the retail sale of fish in the wholesale fish market. Our business has been adversely affected because of the retail fish sale in the wholesale market. Unless the PDA cracks a whip against the retail sale of fish in the wholesale fish market, our business would continue to suffer."
Felix also demanded streamlining of sale of fish market in the wholesale fish market on the platforms. "Most of the agents give their stock to the sub-agents. One way to stop retail sale is to ban sale of fish below five kilograms. A mechanism ought to be put in place to curb retail sale in the wholesale fish market," he added.
The TCP Minister, however, exuded confidence that things will fall in place at the PDA retail fish market as well as the wholesale fish market. "I am confident of a turnaround in the market. At the same time, we will ensure that retail sale of fish in the wholesale fish market is minimized if not stopped totally," Vijai said.
Incidentally, Vijai had once accompanied then TCP Minister Babush Monserrate in the PDA retail fish market, but the ground reality remained unchanged. "That time, Babush had come to the market to find out whether the retail fish market can be handed over to the MMC. Today, the situation is different. What the market needs is basic amenities and a spruce up," he said.
