A marathon one-and-half-hour-long meeting of various stakeholders from the fisheries sector and politicians at the office of the TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai on Tuesday in a bid to resolve the deadlock between the SGPDA and the traditional fishermen over the retail sale of fish in the wholesale fish market remained inconclusive.
While the TCP Minister offered to extend the timings of the business in the wholesale fish market by an hour till 10 am, with a promise to allot around nine stalls in the retail fish market f
While the TCP Minister offered to extend the timings of the business in the wholesale fish market by an hour till 10 am, with a promise to allot around nine stalls in the retail fish market f
ree of cost to the fishermen from the wholesale fish market, the traditional fishermen voiced their strong reservations on restriction in the timings in the market.
They, however, have promised to get back to the SGPDA authorities after discussing the TCP Minister's proposal with the fishermen.
The meeting was attended by Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao, president of Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott Agnelo Rodrigues, President of Cutbona Boat Owners Union Savio D'Silva, President of Goa Wholesale Market Association M Ibrahim, John Fernandes and traditional fishermen, besides SGPDA officials and Margao Municipal Council Chairperson Babita Angle Prabhudesai.
The TCP Minister mooted the proposal to extend the business timings in the wholesale fish market by an hour, adding that the PDA will not allow any activity in the market after 10 am instead of 9 am. Sardesai also proposed to earmark around nine stalls in the retail fish market, in an area admeasuring 300 sq. mts wherein the fishermen doing business at the wholesale fish market can come to the retail market after 10 am and sell the fish.
The proposal, however, raised many an eyebrow among the delegation of fishermen led by John Fernandes. John demanded to know how there can be timings for the traditional fishermen, who bring the produce in the market as per the catch in the sea. He also sought to know the definition of a wholesale fishermen and a retail fish vendor, saying that restriction in the wholesale fish timing should not go against the traditional fishermen.
The TCP Minster later told the media that the meeting was convened to find out a solution to the imbroglio in the wholesale fish market. "One thing is clear there cannot be retail sale in the wholesale fish market. To accommodate the interest of the fishermen doing business in the wholesale fish market, it has been decided to extend the timings to 10 am. After 10 am, these fishermen can go the retail market, where nine stalls will be allotted to them free of cost," he said, adding that the PDA intends to enforce the new timings and arrangements later this week.
Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao agreed that retail fish market cannot take place in the wholesale fish market, adding that the TCP Minister has agreed to accommodate the fishermen in the retail market.
President of Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott Agnelo Fernandes told The Goan that retail sale of fish cannot be allowed in a wholesale fish market. He, however, hastened to add that there cannot be restriction in the timings in the wholesale fish market. "I will discuss the Minister's proposal before our executive committee and get back to the TCP Minister," he added.
They, however, have promised to get back to the SGPDA authorities after discussing the TCP Minister's proposal with the fishermen.
The meeting was attended by Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao, president of Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott Agnelo Rodrigues, President of Cutbona Boat Owners Union Savio D'Silva, President of Goa Wholesale Market Association M Ibrahim, John Fernandes and traditional fishermen, besides SGPDA officials and Margao Municipal Council Chairperson Babita Angle Prabhudesai.
The TCP Minister mooted the proposal to extend the business timings in the wholesale fish market by an hour, adding that the PDA will not allow any activity in the market after 10 am instead of 9 am. Sardesai also proposed to earmark around nine stalls in the retail fish market, in an area admeasuring 300 sq. mts wherein the fishermen doing business at the wholesale fish market can come to the retail market after 10 am and sell the fish.
The proposal, however, raised many an eyebrow among the delegation of fishermen led by John Fernandes. John demanded to know how there can be timings for the traditional fishermen, who bring the produce in the market as per the catch in the sea. He also sought to know the definition of a wholesale fishermen and a retail fish vendor, saying that restriction in the wholesale fish timing should not go against the traditional fishermen.
The TCP Minster later told the media that the meeting was convened to find out a solution to the imbroglio in the wholesale fish market. "One thing is clear there cannot be retail sale in the wholesale fish market. To accommodate the interest of the fishermen doing business in the wholesale fish market, it has been decided to extend the timings to 10 am. After 10 am, these fishermen can go the retail market, where nine stalls will be allotted to them free of cost," he said, adding that the PDA intends to enforce the new timings and arrangements later this week.
Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao agreed that retail fish market cannot take place in the wholesale fish market, adding that the TCP Minister has agreed to accommodate the fishermen in the retail market.
President of Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott Agnelo Fernandes told The Goan that retail sale of fish cannot be allowed in a wholesale fish market. He, however, hastened to add that there cannot be restriction in the timings in the wholesale fish market. "I will discuss the Minister's proposal before our executive committee and get back to the TCP Minister," he added.
