MMC wilts under pressure, to relocate ‘illegal’ vendors

But firm on keeping main market entrance free from encroachmentsrrthe goan I networkrMAPUSAr rThe only saving grace is that the council has put its foot down and decided to keep the entrance of the main market free from all encumbrances. rBut in an attempt to keep the displaced vendors in good cheer, the council has decided to bend and allow them some other place to sell their wares. rOn Thursday, representatives of various market vendors including lottery-sellers met and placed their demands before Urban Development Minister and local MLA, Francis D’Souza who was meeting the public in MMC. rMMC, Chairperson, Rohan Kavlekar, Chief Officer, Clen Madeira, Municipal Engineer, Hussain Shah Muzawar, Market Committee, Chairman, Sanjay Mishal and other officials were present. rThe lottery and other vendors appealed to the minister to allow them to carry on with their business at the entrance of the main market. rAfter giving the vendors a patient hearing, the urban development minister instructed the officials that those who have been rehabilitated in the past should not be accommodated in the market again. rHe also said only lottery vendors may be allowed to carry on business and should be restricted to only one table (although the size of the table was not specified). r“We won’t allow the vendors to display any other wares except the lottery tickets,” D’Souza said. rTo find a middle path to the problem, MMC, Chairperson, Rohan Kavlekar said the council wants to keep the entrance of the market free from all encumbrances. r“We have drawn up a plan to relocate all the displaced vendors at a designated place in the market. The slots will also be appropriately demarcated,” Kavlekar said. rThe chairperson also said lottery ticket vendors will be excused only during the Chaturthi and Christmas festivals. rChief Officer, Clen Madeira informed that electronic items and CDs will henceforth not be allowed to be sold in the market. rrr‘Anti-encroachment drive non-partisan’rrMAPUSA: Chief Officer, Clen Madeira on Thursday informed that there was no favouritism while conducting the anti-encroachment drive in Mapusa market and that everyone was treated on par. r“No concessions have been given to anyone in the market. Action has been taken and will be taken in future without any favouritism,” Madeira said. rHe was responding to a The Goan query that the anti-encroachment drive focused more on vendors while ignoring transgressions of the shopkeepers. rHe said when the drive was started he was out on a training assignment and the charge was given to a link officer. r“Now since I have taken charge I will see that everyone falls in line,” he said. rThe chief officer also said drive was not restricted only to Mapusa market but would eventually spread to other areas in town. rHe also urged the shopkeepers and the vendors to cooperate with the civic staff while they carry out their duty to clear the encroachments.