Margao police deployed at the New Market.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Margao police maintained a close vigil in and around the Margao Municipal New Market to thwart any attempt by the traders to forcibly open the market, even as the traders called upon the civic body authorities to crack the whip against illegal sale of goods in and around the market.
Anticipating defiance of the district Collector’s lockdown order, a posse of Margao cops was deployed at the New Market since Monday morning as a precautionary measure. The traders’ body led by its president Vinod Shirodkar had no option other than to abide as the Margao Municipality decided to go strictly by the Collector’s order.
The traders, however, requested the Margao Municipal Chairperson Lyndon Pereira and Vice-Chairperson Deepali Sawal to convince the district Collector in permitting the traders certain lanes to open shops on alternate days.
MMC Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes told ‘The Goan’ that no fresh order has been received from the Collector on the Traders’ request, implying that status quo remains in force for the moment.
Vinod told the MMC Chairperson and his deputy that while the traders have been forced to sit at home without business in view of the lockdown, unscrupulous traders from outside the state are making brisk business around the New market every morning by selling all types of goods, ranging from plastic, rain wear, besides fruits and vegetables.
“How come these outside vendors are allowed to sell goods around the new market when the lockdown is in force? Is the Collector’s order not applicable to illegal vendors and traders”, Vinod questioned the MMC Chief, while asking him to take up the matter with the police and the Chief Officer to stop the illegal business immediately.
He also demanded that the MMC waive off the tax on trade, garbage fees, besides GST in view of the frequent closure of the market since last year.
After giving the traders a patient hearing, Lyndon said he would discuss their grievances with the Chief Officer before coming out with a solution.
