Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai launching paddy harvesting in Fatorda on Saturday. Captured by : Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai on Saturday warned the government and the regional parties espousing the cause of Goans will escalate the issue of Goan flower vendors not allowed to market their produce at the Margao, Panaji and Ponda markets.
After launching paddy harvesting in Fatorda on Saturday, the Goa Forward Chief has openly batted for Badels and flower vendors who have served Madgavkars irrespective of religious backgrounds.
He questioned “If Goan flower vendors have no place in the Margao market how come the Chor bazar is operating in Margao right under the nose of the Municipal authorities? Sardesai further demanded to know how come fast food hand carts have remained stationary in the commercial capital when licence conditions mandates the hawkers to take the carts back home after business hours. “Are these activities allowed as per the Supreme Court and High Court directions. If the Margao Municipality and the powers that be single out flower vendors and certain communities ekeing a living on flower and other business, we will go deep to uncover the extent of illegalities in the Margao markets and expose the people patronizing these illegalities”, he warned.
He added: “Margao market had never seen any Hindu and Catholic differences in the past. How come the Margao Municipality and the powers that be are now trying to single out flower vendors doing business on the market road. If flower vendors are not allowed, we will expose the blatant illegalities in the market and other places”.
Sardesai also gave a call to all regional parties to unite to protect the interests of Goans in the markets. “This issue is not restricted to the Margao market. We have seen Goans being discriminated at Panjim, Mapusa and Ponda markets. All the regional forces espousing the cause of Goans should come together to fight for the rights of Goan vendors”, he appealed.
Saying he has taken an initiative to empower Fatorda’s Farmers to enrich Fatorda’s Future, Sardesai said “providing paddy seeds, fertilisers, and harvesting facilities, followed by vegetable seeds and tractor services, all free of cost to over 270 farmers of Fatorda is more than just an initiative, it’s a commitment to empower our indigenous farming community and build a year-round green Fatorda”.
He added: “By next Diwali, Fatorda will proudly welcome its own farm-to-table restaurant, run by the women of Fatorda, a space where our local produce meets local enterprise”.
