MARGAO
The traders raised concern over the fate of their business during the ensuing Christmas festival with liquidity crisis still looming large in the markets for want of currency notes in the denomination of Rs 500 and Rs 100.
Led by Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Luizinho Faleiro, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and former minister and market vendors leader, Babu Azgaonkar, slogan shouting Congress workers went round the markets to spread awareness amongst the traders and the common man how the demonetisation decision has hit hard all sections of the society.
Addressing the media, Faleiro said the move is against the country, the people and the poor, besides the farmers and vegetable growers and the fishermen. “The government decision was not against the black marketeers, but against the entire society. Even the courts have termed the decision as carpet bombing. That only goes to show the level of arrogance of the BJP government at the Centre,” he added.
Margao MLA Digambar Kamat said though the markets in the commercial capital ought to be congested with customers at this point of time due to the ensuing Christmas festival, they wear a deserted look over the demonetisation decision. “The traders have no change to give to the customers. The pigmy collectors are facing a bleak future. There’s no one from the government to address their woes,” he said.
Babu Azgaonkar demanded to know what right the government has to restrict the withdrawals from the bank. “Today, people cannot withdraw their own hard earned money from the banks. They are made to stand in endless queues,” he said, adding
that vegetables and fish is rotting in the markets due to
demonetisation.
New Market Traders president Vinod Shirodkar only hoped the situation will stabilise before the ensuing Christmas season. “What the traders are supposed to do when customers come with currency of Rs 2,000 denomination. We have no change to give them and our business is hit hard since November 8,” he said.
