the goan I network
MARGAO
The commercial capital witnessed an uproar again on Friday when Margao Municipal Council cracked a whip against the seasonal vegetable and fruit vendors from the hilly regions of Quepem and Canacona, with locals questioning the municipal officials for targeting the Goan vendors and sparing migrant vendors.
In the meantime, Margao Municipal Chairperson Babita Angle Prabhudesai called up the Chairman of the ST Corporation, Prakash Velip to find out a dedicated space in the city to accommodate the seasonal vendors.
The beleaguered vendors also wondered why the Margao civic body has trained its guns on them when they bring the local produce in the city for want of marketing facilities. They pointed out that the municipality should find a dedicated place so that they can sell their produce in the city.
After Margao municipal workers descended in front of the Margao police station to crack a whip against the seasonal vendors, a couple of local city residents came to their rescue, pointing out that the vendors constitute the Niz Goemkars, while stressing on the need to accommodate them in a dedicated space.
Sudesh Malkarnekar said the Fatorda MLA and TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai and his Margao counterpart Digambar Kamat along with the Margao Municipal Council should find out a viable solution to the issue of the seasonal vendors.
One of the vendors Vinita Velip point blank pointed out that since they constitute the ST Goan vendors, the government should initiate measures to provide them space in the city.
A ST leader Joaquim D'Cruz, who came to the rescue of the beleaguered vendors, said it is the responsibility of the government to protect the interest of ST and OBC vendors who toil in the fields and bring their produce in the city for sale.
When The Goan contacted the MMC Chairperson to find out the reasons behind the whip cracked on the vendors, she said that the entire road in front of the police station was hit by traffic congestion as people made a halt to buy the seasonal fruits.
"While we received calls from some citizens pointing out that seasonal vendors is the cause of the traffic problem, there were others who questioned our action," she said, adding that she has spoken to ST Commission Chairman on the need to identify a dedicated space for the seasonal vendors.
