the goan I network
VASCO
Reacting to Mormugao Municipal Council Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes’ order on Monday revoking the licence of wholesalers selling fish outside the Vasco fish market, the wholesaler and his advocate have decided to challenge the decision before a higher authority.
According to information, while the wholesale shop was closed on Tuesday, the owner of the wholesale outlet met his advocate to decide upon the future course of action upon the receipt of the order issued by CO.
When contacted, Adv Dileshwar Naik, who is representing the wholesaler, was unhappy over the CO’s decision on Monday, revoking the trade licence issued to his client. “My client is conducting legal business and has legal rights. Sudden revoking of his license to sell fish may not be appropriate. He has a family and his livelihood at stake. We will explore all options under the law and challenge the decision.”
“We will file an appeal against the order and if required approach the high court.”
Stating that various NOCs mentioned in the order are not there in the licence conditions or in the by-laws, Adv Naik added: “He has health NOC and has applied for fire NOC though it is not mentioned, so probably licence could have been suspended but not suddenly revoked.”
“He is not in competition with the Vasco market fisherwomen and is selling big fish at wholesale rates,” he added.
Meanwhile, the wholesaler said he had huge outstanding dues from various hotels, eateries, bars and ship suppliers.
“I don’t know what to do. I have huge outstanding dues and I cannot afford these losses. Several outlets may try not to pay me if I don’t keep my shop open. They may take the outstanding for granted if my business is closed legally and I do not know how to handle this situation. I feel it is unfair to suddenly revoke my licence and I should have been given some time,” said the
wholesaler.
Vasco’s hotel lobby supports fish wholesaler
VASCO: The fish wholesale dealer has received support from the hotel industry, with some hotel owners questioning the Mormugao Municipal Council chief officer’s decision to stop wholesalers from selling fish just because fisherwomen saw them as competition.
According to sources, a lot of people in the hotel industry and bar/restaurant owners have extended support to the wholesaler to challenge the decision of the CO with appropriate higher authority.
They claimed it would be difficult for hoteliers and eateries to go to distant places like Margao and Betim in search of fresh fish at wholesale rates.
Meanwhile, a bar owner on condition of anonymity said it was not right for the CO to have stopped wholesalers from selling fish, just because fisherwomen saw them as competition.
“Can fisherwomen sell fish at the price of wholesalers? Why should we buy four pieces of kingfish for Rs 800 when we can buy one whole kingfish for Rs 1,000? Will the prices of fish come down with wholesalers stopped,” were some of the several questions raised by the bar owner.
“This is pressure tactics and prices in the fish market will soar if there is no competition. One business cannot be stopped because others in the same business find them as competition. We are heavily dependent on wholesalers for our daily supply of fish,” the bar owner added.
