Says violators could face permanent cancellation of licence
VASCO
Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) on Friday issued a stern warning to vendors of fruits and vegetable markets in Vasco that it would not tolerate encroachments on roads and that, violators could face permanent cancellation of their licence.
MMC Chairperson Nandadeep Raut, Chief Officer Arvind Bugde, Councillor and Market Committee President Sandesh Mesta, other councillors and MMC officers conducted a surprise inspection at the Vasco market.
The inspection was conducted after some vendors had recently expressed concerns over lack of infrastructure and had complained about non-functional streetlights, clogged gutters, absence of public toilets and had demanded police patrolling after market hours.
Later speaking to reporters, Raut said the MMC had noticed a lot of illegalities by vendors, even though they had been blaming the MMC for mismanagement.
"We decided to inspect the market after there was flooding due to rains and vendors had levelled some accusations against the MMC.”
“We realised that vendors have extended their stalls by keeping their products outside and have carried out some temporary modifications by putting Kadappa stones on the footpath outside their stalls, which is the main reason for the flooding.”
“These extensions were also causing inconvenience to people, and vendors have now assured us that they will not keep their products outside the stalls," said Raut.
The MMC chairperson said if vendors maintain discipline and do not encroach on roads, there would be more space for pedestrians to walk, more space for parking and there would be fewer accidents.
“I requested vendors to cooperate with the MMC and we will try and build a market as per their needs. The chief officer has given strict instructions to vendors and warned them against any encroachments.”
“I have also instructed inspectors to submit a report to the chief officer and if these reports are not submitted, the chief officer will take action against the staff," Raut added.
MMC Market Committee President Sandesh Mesta said there had been many inspections, but vendors would place their stock on the roads after MMC staff left or after office hours.”
“These vendors carry out illegalities and then blame us for lapses. We will not allow anyone to carry out any encroachment on roads," said Mesta.
