MARGAO
Fearing action by the Margao Municipal inspectors, the beleaguered vendors, who descend in the commercial capital to sell mesh mellons and vegetable produce from the city's drains, pavements, called on the Municipal Vice-Chairperson Tito Cardozo, who is also the MMC market panel chairman to save them from the axe.
The vendors pleaded with the Municipal vice-chairperson and other authorities to spare them since the imminent action will only result in a huge loses as they have nowhere to go with the produce.
While they made a fervent plea to the Municipal authorities to spare them from the axe, they pointed out that they are also Goan vendors, bringing to the market the produce of their sweat and toil. "We are not selling our produce in the municipal markets, but are selling our produce in the open spaces for want of a dedicated place," they said.
MMC Vice-Chairperson Tito Cardozo pointed out that the market inspectors had told these vendors to wind up their operations in view of the demand made by the Gandhi Market Vendors Association demanding action against illegal vendors. "These vendors from the hilly regions occupy the open spaces and sell their produce on the drains, pavements and even on turns, causing traffic congestion," Tito said, adding that the Municipal is seized of the matter and is exploring the possibility of allotting these vendors a dedicated place.
Incidentally, it's now nearly a decade and half since then Urban Development Minister Digambar Kamat, during his stint in the Manohar Parrikar government, had promised to allocate dedicated space in Margao for vendors from the hilly regions, but the demand remains unfulfilled till date.
