OLD GOA
Sending out a warning to bureaucrats not to let his patience run thin, St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes said he should not be blamed for his actions if there is no concrete action on the rehabilitation of kiosk owners and fruit vendors, who were displaced in the recent demolition outside GMC hospital.
“We will wait for one month and after that, I will sit on a dharna at the site along with MLA Francis Silveira,” warned Fernandes, when the kiosk owners and fruit vendors gathered outside his residence on Monday, seeking to know the latest developments on the rehabilitation front.
The kiosk owners and fruit vendors were particularly apprehensive as the compound wall, which needs to be demolished for rehabilitation, was plastered in a hasty manner, ever since the fruit vendors were temporarily relocated near the area.
“It’s been 12 days now since the demolition took place but we have yet to hear anything regarding the rehabilitation. We have been told by both MLAs of St Andre and St Cruz that the rehabilitation will be done. But we do not know when,” said a kiosk owner Dominic Pereira, adding this was the reason why affected kiosk owners and fruit vendors gathered outside the residence of St Cruz MLA seeking to get the answers.
“The fruit vendors are also temporarily relocated and there is no guarantee whatsoever that they won’t be asked to move out someday. Therefore, we are demanding a permanent solution to the problem,” Pereira added.
Santa Cruz Panch Prasad Naik pointed to the fact that the compound wall, which needs to be demolished for rehabilitation, has been plastered in a hurry raising doubts over the rehabilitation exercise.
After listening to the grievances of the vendors, MLA Fernandes said he already had a meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant who has given nod for his rehabilitation plan, which will be executed at the same place where the fruit vendors are currently relocated.
“Till now, I have shown enough patience. I warn the bureaucrats not to let my patience run thin. If the word is not kept, I should not be blamed for my actions afterwards,” Fernandes said.
5-member panel named for coordination
OLD GOA: The fruit vendors and kiosk owners have appointed a committee of five members who will coordinate with the MLAs on behalf of the displaced persons on the developments regarding rehabilitation.
The members are Domnic Pereira, Prasad Naik, Shweta Shirvoikar, Prema Mashelkar and Shakuntala.
“The five-member committee will follow up on the issue of rehabilitation with the MLAs and if need be, even accompany them at meetings with ministers and officials,” Pereira stated.
