VASCO
Chaos prevailed at Mormugao Municipal Council after around 300-odd fisherwomen confronted municipal officials over the delay in taking a decision on the presence of wholesale fish dealers near the fish market on Wednesday evening.
Several fisherwomen associated with Vasco fish market led by their President Caridade Pereira had gathered at the MMC building, as the matter of revoking the trade license issued to fish wholesalers outside the market, based on the complain by fisherwomen from Vasco fish market, came up for hearing on Wednesday evening.
According to sources, MMC had issued a licence to wholesalers selling fish since 2015.
The matter was taken up in Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes’ cabin and both parties (wholesalers and Vasco market Fisherwomen) had their advocates to present their sides before the chief officer.
Scenes got chaotic after the advocate representing the wholesalers asked the case to be dismissed upon not having merits and the chief officer informed that he had reserved March 5 as the date for final order. Speaking to the media, Adv Dileshwar Naik, representing the wholesalers, said he was in MMC after a notice was issued to his client upon a complaint by fisherwomen that his vendors licence should be revoked.
“There was a complaint filed against shop vendors selling fish which said that wholesalers licence should be revoked. The licence to conduct business of selling seafood was granted by MMC and it is they who have to revoke it, they have to prove that my client has not complied or followed conditions laid by MMC while issuing the licence.”
“There is no question of revoking and these are pressure tactics, which has something to do with the new fish market. We are not concerned about it and we are not in competition with fisherwomen from fish market and hence, this case has no merit and we have asked the case to be dismissed, “ said Naik
Meanwhile, Vasco Fish Market President Caridade Periera said they would decide on their course of action depending on the CO’s decision on March 5. “It has been four months since we were assured that no one would sell fish outside the fish market and necessary steps, including the revoking of licence of wholesalers outside fish market, would be taken.”
“We are now tired after MMC authorities keep postponing the date of action. We have met everyone, but all seem to be fooling us. We will take our final call after March 6 and if necessary, we will take law in our hands and we will start selling fish forcibly in stalls of wholesalers,” warned Pereira.
