MARGAO
Fish vendors conducting illegal retail fish business along the wholesale fish market seemed to have found a novel idea to beat the High Court order on the removal of illegal retail fish sales on the wholesale fish market road.
With the authorities tightening screws after the High Court's directions not allowing retail fish sales on the wholesale fish market road falling under the Margao Municipal Council jurisdiction, the retail fish vendors have shifted their operations to the other side of River Sal, coming under the neighbouring Seraulim panchayat jurisdiction.
In fact, for the last couple of months since the time the Margao Municipal Council started implementing the High Court order against the retail fish sale on the wholesale fish market road, the vendors have shifted their operations along the Margao-Seraulim-Nuvem bypass junction. The retail vendors, however, are now seen doing business in an adjoining property, just metres away from the junction.
The activity has thrown up a host of questions, including the question of whether the retail fish selling activity has been notified by the panchayat or by the district authorities, the manner in which the waste generated in the market is disposed of, besides hygiene and sanitation aspects of the market.
MMC officials in private say the civic body has no jurisdiction over the retail fish sale activity in Seraulim village. Incidentally, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on Tuesday sought to know from the district authorities whether the district collector’s office has any powers to rein in the retail fish activity after being banned on the wholesale fish market road by the High Court order.
