No garlands these
Registered under the Vendors Protection Act
Demand identity cards at the earliest
Demand association’s members be included in the town vending committee
Say some councillors gain from 'outsider' vendors
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Mapusa flower vendors demand action against 'outsiders'
Say civic authorities have failed to look after their welfare
THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
The local flower vendors in Mapusa market are up in arms against non-Goan wholesale vendors, who according to them have been conducting “unethical” business in the market.
The local vendors under the banner of Mapusa Flower Vendors' Association, in the absence of the chief officer met Mapusa Municipal Council Chairperson, Sandeep Falari and impressed upon him to look into the problems they face from the onslaught of the non-Goan wholesale flower vendors.
The association president, Lata Shirodkar informed the chairperson that around 60 local flower vendors have been registered under the Vendors Protection Act. They have also paid Rs 500 at the time of registration.
The local vendors have requested the chairperson to issue them ID cards at the earliest. They have also demanded that one of the association’s members be included in the town vending committee constituted by the Mapusa Municipal Council in 2013.
“We have been working hard and etching a hand-to-mouth living by selling these flowers in the market for the last many years. Now, these non-Goan wholesale flower vendors have made life difficult for us by selling better flower at much lesser price,” one of the vendors told The Goan.
Another local flower vendor hit out at civic authorities for failing to look after the welfare of the local vendors.
“Some councillors give a lot of leeway to these non-Goan vendors. They prefer these 'outsiders' more than the local vendor because they stand to gain from them,” the vendor alleged refusing to identify herself fearing retribution.
The chairperson informed the vendors` delegation that the process of issuing ID cards was on and will be soon issued to the eligible vendors.
He also assured the delegation to look favourably into their other demands.
The local flower vendors were accompanied by the members of Mapusa People`s Union who supported their cause.
