the goan I network
MARGAO
South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) chairman MLA Wilfred D’Sa may suddenly realize that his fiat to the officials to crack a whip against the migrant vendors in the wholesale fish market have no takers.
Otherwise how does one explain the hordes of migrant women, who double up as loaders, turning into retail fish sellers in the market.
During his inspection of the wholesale fish market after taking over the reigns of office last year, the PDA chairman had promised the media that migrants selling retail fish in the market would be a thing of the past.
He had made the promise after a couple of migrant women were found selling fish right under his nose during the inspection, prompting him to hand out a promise that no migrant would be permitted to sell retail fish in the wholesale market.
While the PDA has stuck to the decision not to allow retail sale of fish in the wholesale fish market after 9 am, a decision which has been hotly contested by the traditional fishermen, questions are being raised on how migrant women vendors can continue to make roaring sale of retail fish in the wholesale market during the prescribed hours.
Over 100 migrant women were involved in selling fish in retail in baskets close to the loading and unloading platform, throwing up questions on whether the PDA has resolved to allow migrant loaders to double up as fish sellers along with the traditional fishermen.
Besides migrant women, who make hay at the wholesale fish market as they sell retail fish in the market with impunity along with other vendors, the fruit vendor and baked goods seller continue to make roaring business from inside the wholesale fish market.
The van selling bakery produce and the fruit seller were all doing business along the road side outside the wholesale fish market before Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered a crack down on all road side vendors on the wholesale fish market-La Grace hotel road.
