Displaced GMC kiosk owners/vendors, who were given allotment letters last week, took possession of the shops on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra on Wednesday.
A function was organised on the occasion and former St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes, the main architect behind the project, was given the honours of conducting the inauguration of the rehabilitation project.
Also present were Santa Cruz sarpanch Jennifer Oliveira, ZP member Shiny Oliveira, Deputy Sarpanch Domnic Pereira, Curca Deputy Sarpanch Leena Naik, former Curca deputy sarpanch Marvin Gonsalves, panchas and others.
Speaking on the occasion, former MLA Fernandes said that the kiosk owners/vendors should always be indebted to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for agreeing to the proposal of building a permanent structure with shops for those affected by the demolition drive.
“Even though it did not come under the legal purview, CM Sawant saw to it that the project was approved by the Cabinet, due to which the project became a reality,” Fernandes stated.
However, Fernandes said there are several other vendors who have still not been allotted the shops and that he would not rest till they too get justice.
Congratulating the shop owners for finally getting their dreams fulfilled, Santa Cruz sarpanch Jennifer Oliveira urged the owners of the shops to keep the area clean.
ZP member Shiny Oliveira, former St Cruz panch Prasad Naik and others also spoke on the occasion.
