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MAPUSA
Addressing a hurriedly convened news conference on Monday evening, Falari said the amount and the revenue earned from Sopo contract is fixed and there is not any possibility of “so-called scam”.
“Those who are talking about scam should be honest and then they should come forward to level such baseless allegations,” said Falari, hitting out at the
protesters.
“Last year, Mapusa Municipal Council had earmarked Rs 25 lakh towards repair of the municipal building, but Rs 5 lakh was spent on actual repair work. We are in touch with the electricity department to change the electrical wiring of the building, while the process of insuring shops is in final stage. There is no substance in the vendors’ allegations,” claimed Falari.
“I have asked the Vending Committee chairman to convene regular meetings. Once the Town Vending Act is implemented, the vendors occupying open spaces will be controlled,” said Falari.
Councillor Franky Carvalho said as the election code of conduct is in force, MMC could not implement the parking scheme in the market.
“The allegations made by the protesters should be explained by the vendors. I am trying to bring discipline in the market and some are upset with it, and same people are levelling corruption charges against me,” said Carvalho.
Confusion at MMC as striking vendors squat at entrance
MAPUSA: Confusion prevailed at the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) building on Monday, after the striking vendors squatted at the entrance of the building.
Bardez Mamlatdar Dasharat Gawas and PI Rajan Prabhudessai had a tough time in controlling the situation.
MMC Chairperson Sandeep Falari, Mapusa Market Committee chairman Franky Carvalho and Councillor Tushar Tople tried to pacify the vendors by assuring to solve their grievances. After Falari and others went inside the council building, the protesting vendors changed their stance and refused to vacate from the entrance of the building and demanded the presence of Carvalho before them.
MMC Administrative Officer Bhanudas Naik then assured to inspect the municipal market on Tuesday at 4 pm and the agitating vendors later dispersed from the site.
Earlier, there was a minor scuffle at a meat vendor’s shop between local fish vendors and migrant vegetable vendors. The police and some locals, however, intervened and separated the two groups.
