Members of MMC Market Committee and others during the anti-encroachment drive at the Vasco vegetable market. Captured by : Vikram Nayak
VASCO
The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) on Thursday carried out drive to clear encroachments in the Vasco vegetable market, with the MMC market committee warning vendors that the drive would continue regularly and heavy fines would be levied on habitual offenders.
Speaking to media after the drive, MMC Market Committee Chairman and Councillor Mathias Monteiro said although the MMC has provided adequate space to vendors, they place their products on the road.
“Besides encroachment, they make a mess of the place and people don't have space to walk. We have seen that some of our municipal people are involved in encouraging encroachments and our people inform vendors well in advance about our drives. These people are hand in gloves with councillors, but this will not be allowed any more.”
"Such anti-encroachment drives will be held regularly and heavy fines will be imposed on regular offenders. We will finally consider cancellation of trade license as well if things don't come under control," warned Monteiro.
Councillor Prajay Mayekar said the vendors were directed to clear their encroachments and to put forth any difficulty faced by them before the MMC market committee.
Councillor Vinod Kinlekar said there was massive encroachment in the market and told reporters that such drives would be conducted once in two days to streamline the market.
Councillor Narayan Borker said he would meet the MMC chairperson and chief officer to find out arrangements for the Ganesh Chaturthi market.
"We will convene a meeting to find out how the market will be allotted to vendors who sell Ganesh Chaturthi items, to ensure that people are not inconvenienced and there is no mass gathering of people at one place in the market," said Borker.
