MMC rejects plea to extend Old Market feast fair

Old Market feast fair vendors and hawkers meet Margao Municipal Chief Damu Shirodkar, seeking a three-day extension of the fair.

MARGAO  

The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has rejected the request by vendors and hawkers to extend the Old Market feast fair, stating that it is following High Court directions which allow the fair to be held only for seven days.  

However, Margao Municipal Chief Damu Shirodkar said the MMC would ask its municipal lawyer to examine whether the annual feast fair could be extended to 10 days, as is done in the areas under the Mormugao Municipal Council and the City Corporation of Panjim.  

A delegation of vendors and hawkers met Shirodkar on Monday and appealed for a three-day extension. They said that feast fairs in Vasco and Panaji are usually allowed to run for 10 days, while the fair in Margao is limited to seven days.  

Shirodkar told the delegation that the MMC was unable to grant any extension as it is bound by High Court orders to end the fair at the Old Market after seven days. “I do not want the council or its officials to face contempt of court by extending the fair without the High Court’s approval,” he said.  

He added that the MMC could request its lawyer to approach the High Court and seek permission to extend the fair to 10 days. Shirodkar also said that the council has followed all other High Court guidelines, including those related to sanitation and parking at the venue.