OLD GOA
Former sarpanchas of Santa Cruz, Mariano Araujo and Prasad Naik, have alleged irregularities in the allotment of stalls at the annual fair of the village feast.
Speaking to reporters in Santa Cruz on Friday, Araujo informed that they have been told by the stall vendors that they have been asked to pay a lump sum amount for operating the stalls for the 10-day fair.
“One of the vendors informed me that they are not given any receipts of the money paid. In the past, no lump sum amount was asked for, and the sopo collector would collect sopo money from the vendors on a daily basis,” Araujo informed while questioning why only this year the vendors are asked to pay a lump sum amount.
Naik, on his part, alleged that this is nothing but a money-making racket wherein a middleman collects money which does not go into the coffers of the panchayat.
When pointed out that a contract has been given to a contractor to run the fair, Naik questioned how the panchayat can give any such contract when the land does not belong to them.
“The land in question is not the panchayat’s property, so they have no right to give a contract of running the fair to anyone,” Naik stated.
When questioned about the allegations made, Sarpanch Jennifer Oliveira informed that these are baseless.
“The panchayat has followed all the rules while giving the contract of running the fair to the contractor,” Oliveira informed while stating that the issuing of the receipt is the lookout of the contractor and not the panchayat.
Meanwhile, Araujo and Naik also raised the issue of the lack of toilet facilities at the fair, as they said that the stall workers have to use the open spaces to relieve themselves.
“The panchayat should have at least made proper toilet facilities available at the fair,” they added.
Toilet facilities lagging at fair
OLD GOA: Even as the panchayat is facing allegations over allotment of stalls at the village feast fair, the sanitation facilities were also lagging, thereby depriving the stall vendors and workers of basic sanitation.
When The Goan visited the twin blocks where the toilets have been set up separately for men and women, it was noticed that there was no lighting in the area.
Also, for the septic tank, a huge pit has been dug and the pipes from the toilets connected to the pit, which has been temporarily covered with metal sheets.
Some of the stall workers informed that they prefer to use the open ground for relieving themselves and also for bathing.
