MAPUSA
One month after Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar visited the Mapusa market and directed the chief officer to clear the market of all encroachments, nothing seems to have moved on Ground Zero.
Shop owners and vendors continue to indulge in controversial activities with impunity, even as civic officials turn a blind eye to various kinds of encroachments in the main Mapusa market.
The tarpaulins, plastic and cloth shields criss cross in front of the many stalls all over the market, which can add fuel in case of an accidental fire in the market.
Many shop owners have taken over the footpaths by dumping their goods on it, leaving no place for shoppers to walk freely.
Municipal engineer E Muzawar told The Goan that the civic body had indeed started the encroachment clearing drive soon after the chief minister’s instructions.
“But on the request of the market vendors and some stall owners, some relief was granted to them during Diwali. We will resume the anti-encroachment drive within a day and clear the market of all illegalities,” Muzawar said.
“This time there won’t be any relaxation to the vendors or shop owners. The drive will continue throughout the week and months together,” he added.
He said the municipal council has decided to station 10-15 civic staff permanently in the market to keep an eye only on encroachments and ensure immediate clearance if anyone tries to break the law.
The officials have also received full backing of Chairperson Sandeep Falari, who also wants to put certain systems in place in the market.
“We do not want to displace anyone from earning his or her daily bread in the market. But at the same time, the market has to be streamlined and basic rules have to be followed by everyone, from a small-time vendor to a big shop owner,” Falari said.
It may be recalled Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on October 25 directed the chief officer of Mapusa to clear all the encroachments in the Mapusa Municipal market before Diwali.
He had directed the chief officer to remove all the tarpaulins put up by stall owners all around the market.
“If you want I will relieve you from the health department. But concentrate on the Mapusa market. I want all the encroachments to go. I will pay a visit to the market again before Diwali,” Parsekar had told Chief Officer Raju Gawas at the time.
