MAPUSA
Local fish vendors of Aldona on Monday said they were ready to provide fish to the doorsteps of villagers but wanted the government to intervene and stop non-Goans from selling fish on two-wheelers and give preference to Goans first.
According to the fish vendors, Goans should get preference to do business as many have lost jobs due to the pandemic.
“We are ready to provide door-to-door delivery of fish to customers, particularly the senior citizens. We will share our mobile numbers with customers and deliver fish to their door steps free of cost,” said Manohar Halarnkar, a fish vendor from Aldona.
The local fish vendors who had gathered outside the Aldona market on Monday decided to keep the fish market closed for four days as a mark of protest.
Speaking further, Halarnkar said people of Aldona can call up on the number that will be provided to them and place their order.
“We will take the responsibility to deliver fish to the doorstep of the customer without having to pay delivery charges,” he said.
Fish vendor, Vinod Toraskar, informed that fish vendors from Moira, Nachinola, Corjuem, Carona, Quitla, etc have also joined in the protest.
“We will list down the cell numbers of fish vendors from different areas and make it available to the people. Home delivery will be free in Aldona village,” Toraskar said.
He said Goan youth who are unemployed will be drafted into the fish selling business so that people will get easy access to fish.
Toraskar appealed to the government to stop non-Goans from selling fish on two-wheelers by bringing an amendment in the Motor Vehicle Act.
When questioned whether he was impinging on an individual’s right to live and work in any part of the country, he said he was only demanding that preference be given to Goans.
“Non-Goans can take proper licences and permissions and do their business. But Goans have to get preference. We have started this campaign in Aldona. People from other constituencies should think about it and decide for themselves,” Toraskar said.
Aldona Deputy Sarpanch Shukradhini Polle said the panchayat would back the local fish vendors in their demand that Goans should get first preference.
“We are not against anyone. But we also feel that Goans have the right to get the first opportunity to do any business or job in Goa,” said Polle, who is functioning as the acting sarpanch.
