MARGAO
Even as the government under the Atmanirbhar and Swayampurna Goa programme has set up a 10-day Chaturthi Bazar at the KTC bus stand, Margao, Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai has demanded to know the fate of the thousands of applications made by small-time traders of traditional occupations for Covid relief.
The 10-day Chaturthi Bazar was jointly inaugurated by the Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai and his Margao counterpart Digambar Kamat in the presence of senior government officers, Levinson Martins, Ajit Panchwadkar and Margao Municipal Chief Officer Rohit Kadam at the KTC bus stand on Saturday noon.
Expressing his happiness that the Chaturthi Bazar is being held at the KTC bus stand, Sardesai, however, reminded that the Chief Minister had promised to help the small traders of traditional occupations, including motorcycle and rickshaw pilots, khajekars and chonekars affected by the Covid pandemic. “Based on the CM’s assurance given before the elections, thousands of small-time traders and others hit by Covid had filled up the forms and handed them over to the Social Welfare Department. With Ganesh Chaturthi nearing, the question that arises is whether people hit by Covid pandemic have got the promised relief at a time when inflation and unemployment is on the rise.”
In his address, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, however, expressed confidence that since Ganesh Chaturthi is fast approaching, Lord Ganesh will come with good news and take back all the sufferings of the people.
He appreciated the idea of holding the Chaturthi Bazar by the Swayampurna Mitras saying it not only gives a platform for the small-time traders and self help groups to market their products, but gives an avenue for the people to make purchases at one place.
Senior Officer Levinson Martins said nearly 40 vendors have been allotted stalls on a first come first serve basis and free of any fees identified by Swayampurna mitras.
