MAPUSA
When some local fish vendors from Aldona appealed to the government to stop non-Goans from selling fish on two-wheelers in the village, many residents were not amused.
Sympathising with the non-Goans, many said that during the lockdown it was the migrants who sold fish and vegetables to them and not the local vendors.
They also said that a minority group of local fish vendors were trying to make an issue by discriminating between Goans and non-Goans.
“Everybody has a right to do business anywhere in India. The migrants (non-Goans) have been selling fish in the by-lanes of the Aldona village much before the pandemic started. These so-called traditional fish vendors want to make more money and therefore want to stop the migrants now,” said Theo D’Souza, a senior citizen from Carona in Aldona.
The issue was also discussed at length in the ‘Aldona Matters’ Facebook page.
“You cannot stop others from selling just because they are non-Goans. What Goans ought to do is give better service and good value for money. Customers will return where they feel well treated and comfortable spending their hard-earned money,” commented Mario Jo Ds.
Others said nationality did not matter as long as they get good fish and sincere service.
“I don’t care who the fishmonger is…Goan or non-Goan as long as the fish I get is clean, fresh and reasonably priced. If a non-Goan can do it, why can’t a Goan? And in these Covid times, the less I have to step out, the better for my health,” opined Mabel De Sa in ‘Aldona Matters’.
Then some said that in the name of traditional fish vendors a small group of individuals was trying to harass Goans.
“One of the fish vendors objecting to the non-Goans is actually promoting outsiders. A fish vendor leading the group has entrusted his barbershop to non-Goans in Aldona market,” said Oldrin Pereira.
“The issue is not about Goans and non-Goans. The issue is to monopolise the fish trade in the village. In the name of outsiders, the controversial fish vendor and the group are harassing the locals,” he added.
He said these so-called traditional fish vendors buy fish from migrants and then sell it to Goans.
A few, however, felt that Goans should get preference and non-Goans should be shown the door before Goans lose their identity in the State.
“If Goans can give service to the door-step then there should not be any problem. At least we will know that Goans will sell fresh fish while these non-Goans sell fish with formalin,” said Joseph Fernandes from Calvim-Aldona.
“Like this, we are handing the Goan economy in the hands of the migrants…To save Rs 20 to Rs 50, Goans are giving everything to migrants. They make money to buy your property and take all Goan rights. Don’t say these fishermen charge a bomb. This is the reason why migrants are doing dadagiri. Goa is a small state and if it continues like this then Goa will not be for Goans but migrants,” said Sahil Vaigankar in the ‘Aldona Matters’ Facebook page.
