Want authorities to bar vendors from other areas
Stalls set up at the Vasco Matoli market.
VASCO
Various religious items, fruits and vegetables made their way to the Vasco's Matoli Market on Monday morning, but vendors complained of poor business on Day 1.
The vendors are, however, hopeful that the business will pick on Tuesday and Wednesday as every year, a large number of people flock to these markets to pick up their favourite fruits, traditional vegetables and flowers to decorate the Matoli above the Ganesh idol in their houses.
The vendors have also requested authorities not to allow space for vendors coming from other parts and to accommodate only Vasco-based vendors in the annual Matoli market.
A vendor said she had to struggle for space in the Matoli market this year.
"We have been setting up stalls here every year but this time we had to struggle. We then went to the legislators and even met MMC Chairperson Leo Rodrigues who finally offered us the space here and we are thankful to them,” said the vendor.
“We have now seen that outsiders are selling stuff here and we find no customers. We buy these traditional Matoli vegetables from Ponda and Banastari at a heavy price but with no customers, we may face losses. We have now requested that only Vasco-based vendors be allowed here because while this market is now occupied by some outsiders, small Matoli markets have come up in all suburbs at Baina, New Vaddem and other places as well. We don't know how will we survive in this place if outsiders are allowed and local vendors have to face struggles," said the vendor.
Another vendor also complained that business was slow this year.
"We have less customers this year but we are hopeful that we will get customers during the remaining two days. We can't expect huge business immediately after the market is set up, but we are sure that there will be good business in the next two days," said the vendor.
Meanwhile, a local Ravalmath Pednekar said the MMC had made good arrangements for the Matoli market.
"This year, all stalls have been set up systematically and all products are available at one location. The items are a little expensive but we are glad that all the items are available here," said Pednekar.
