the goan I network
MARGAO
The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) is literally racing against time to complete work on the renovation of the SGPDA retail fish market, with TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai setting June 25 as the deadline for the inauguration of the refurbished market.
The 100-odd fish vendors, however, had their reservations over the efficacy of the fish trays, as they raised questions whether the fish trays which will replace the platforms on the lines of the Dubai fish market, will meet the local requirements as the fish vendors still sell fish in “vanttes” to fish loving Goans.
While workers employed by the contractor roped in by the GSIDC are busy engaged in capping the work right on time, fish vendors sounded skeptical over the fish trays serving their purpose. If the TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai was engaged in a spat with a lady fish vendor over the fish trays on his visit to the market during the weekend, Sardesai returned to the market on Wednesday to witness a demo at the fish stall in the SGPDA market operated by the fish vendors president Felix Gonsalves.
Fish vendors, who were all huddled around the fish tray in the presence of the TCP Minister, were demonstrated how the tray can be used taking into account their requirements. When the vendors sought to know how to sell the fish in “vanttes”, they were reassured by the contractor that all the stalls will get a steel plate which can be used to spread the fish for sale. Moreover, the contractor pointed out that the vendors can dismantle the compartments in the fish trays to accommodate big fish such as King Fish and Morshes.
“I have come again to the market to take a review, not just of the infrastructural works, but the apprehensions raised by the fish vendors relating to the fish trays. To allay their apprehensions, we arranged a demo at the stall manned by the vendors leader Felix Gonsalves. The vendors may still have doubts, but I am certain that there are still solutions to every problem,” the TCP Minister said.
Even as some vendors said the contractor and GSIDC should have taken note of their requirements before procuring the fish trays, president of the fish vendors Association Felix Gonsalves said today’s demo has helped to remove many a doubt in the minds of the vendors on the efficacy of the fish trays.
“The objective behind the fish trays is that the water does not spill over and finds its way in the inbuilt drainage. Moreover, it aims at ensuring that the passages remain dry without water,” Felix said.
While exuding confidence that the SGPDA will take into account the fears of the fish vendors while using the fish trays, Felix sought to thank the TCP Minister for taking up the renovation work to bring about a turn around in the retail fish market.
