Shops at Sanguem fair were closed due to heavy rains on Tuesday.
SANGUEM
The annual fair on the occasion of the Feast of Our Lady of Miracles at Sanguem, popularly known as Purumentachem Fest, was severely affected on account of pre-monsoon rains on Tuesday.
Traders who came to Sanguem from various parts of Goa with high hopes of doing business have suffered financial losses due to the rain, and they fear further losses if the rains continue over the next 3-4 days.
The rains dampened the spirits of traders, with many complaining that while customers had not visited their stalls due to the rains, their goods had also got drenched.
Some traders informed that as it had rained during the night, they preferred to keep their shops closed during the day as it was impossible to open them.
Women who have been bringing their goods to the feast for over 50 years say they have never experienced anything like this before, but still placed their faith in God for a dry spell over the next 3-4 days.
Meanwhile, the traders have accused the Sopo contractor of collecting excessive amounts without considering the current situation of the fair.
With heavy rains continuing to pour, it has become difficult for customers to move around in Sanguem market and, as such, they preferred to stay indoors.
Unhappy fish vendors met the Sanguem Municipal Council (SMC) Chairperson Santiksha Gadkar to complain that though their business had been severely affected due to heavy rains at the Sanguem Feast fair, the SMC Sopo collector had been collecting Sopo ranging from Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 from them without showing any mercy. They requested a reduction in the Sopo tax.
Gadkar gave a patient hearing to the fish vendors and advised them to let go of the money already collected by the contractor in the last two days and to pay only Rs 100 per day starting from Tuesday.
Melbon, a fish seller from Assolna, stated that they incur daily expenses of Rs 400-500 for breakfast and meals.
“Additionally, there are transportation costs to bring our goods, and with no sales, the exorbitant Sopo tax has resulted in losses for us,” said Melbon.
Marian Lobo, another fish vendor, complained that they had paid Rs 200-300 as Sopo tax last year, but this year, the tax had been doubled.
They, however, thanked Chairperson Santiksha Gadkar for having considered their difficulties.
