the goan I network
MAPUSA
The Mapusa Municipal Council has been blamed for failing to control the growing influx of migrant vendors and to create adequate infra in the municipal market.
In order to highlight problems faced by the public and shopkeepers in the market, the Mapusa Merchants Association has planned to hold a token demonstration after the flag hoisting ceremony on Independence Day.
“The civic body has failed to take decisions in the interest of the common man. Their priorities lie somewhere else and not for the convenience of the public,” said Ashish Shirodkar, president of Mapusa Merchants Association.
Listing the problems in the market, he said there were no proper toilet facilities available in the market and the few that existed were not maintained properly.
“We had volunteered to take care and maintain one toilet in the market but the civic body did not agree,” he said.
According to Shirodkar, the biggest headache in the market was the problem of migrant vendors whose number kept on rising.
“When the fruit vendors were relocated, we had requested the council to keep the place around the Shakuntala edifice as open space. But now, new vendors mostly migrants have been allotted space there,” Shirodkar said blaming a councilor for the mess.
He said although the council maintains that town vending committee was in place, requests made by the merchants and other associations were not considered while forming the committee.
Questioning the civic body’s decision to install a new gate inside the market, he said the intention to restrict movement of two-wheelers was good but that should not give them the license to bring new vendors in the market.
“We know the new chairperson can deliver. He is not after money…But he needs to move fast and bring about the necessary changes which are visible,” Shirodkar said.
He said the merchants association has decided to hold a peaceful demonstration and requested like-minded people to join them in their token protest on August 15.
