MARGAO
As the stink pervades the SGPDA’s wholesale fish market and the mega retail fish market shows no signs of abating, the South Goa District Collector has constituted a 15-member panel to go into all the issues plaguing the two markets owned and operated by the planning body.
The committee, headed by the Sub-divisional Magistrate, Margao, has been given a clear brief by the district Collector, Egna Cleetus, and, amongst other things, has been tasked to identify the deficiencies and recommend immediate corrective measures and other improvements, indicating the authority responsible and a reasonable time frame for action.
The panel has been constituted by the district Collector a day after PWD Minister Digambar Kamat personally saw for himself the state of affairs both inside the market sheds and in the parking lot and spaces playing host to mixed waste and stink.
As per the terms of reference issued by the District Collector, the committee is mandated to inspect both the SGPDA Retail Market Complex and the SGPDA Wholesale Fish Market, including the common areas, access roads, parking and loading/unloading areas connected with their functioning.
That sanitation and public health have been a matter of concern over the years seemed to have invited the attention of the District Collector. For, the order constituting the panel has laid stress on these aspects, as evident by the fact that the committee shall assess cleanliness, waste disposal, drains, wastewater, toilets, water supply, pest control and food/fish hygiene.
On infrastructure and safety, the committee is told to examine the condition of the buildings and passages, electrical installations, lighting, ventilation, fire-safety arrangements and emergency access.
Given that the PWD Minister came across rampant encroachments in the PDA mega retail market, the committee has been tasked to review the market function, including the brief to review vending and stall arrangements, unauthorised extensions or obstructions, internal circulation, traffic, parking, loading/unloading, security and other issues affecting orderly functioning.
That the district administration has finally woken up to the deteriorating ground reality is evident by the fact that the panel Chairperson has been given clear directions to convene the first meeting and arrange the joint inspection within seven days from the date of this Order.
That’s not all. The committee shall submit to the Collector, South Goa, a consolidated report within 15 days from the date of inspection, containing separate findings for the Retail Market and the Wholesale Fish Market and supported by photographs wherever necessary.
“Any condition posing an immediate danger to public health or safety shall be reported forthwith to the Collector and to the competent authority for urgent preventive or remedial action, without awaiting submission of the final report”, the Collector stated.
What’s important to note is that the Collector has issued directions to the Member Secretary, SGPDA, to provide the committee with relevant records, site access and necessary logistical assistance.
In this connection, the order has directed all concerned departments to extend full cooperation and depute officers conversant with the subject. The Chairperson may co-opt any technical officer or expert whose assistance is considered necessary for the inspection.
This Order has come into force with immediate effect.
While constituting the panel in the interest of public health, safety and orderly functioning of the markets, the Collector pointed out that the SGPDA retail market complex and the wholesale fish market at Margao are important public market facilities catering to a large number of vendors, traders and members of the public. “It is considered necessary to undertake a coordinated inspection of both markets to assess their present condition and functioning, particularly with regard to sanitation, public health, infrastructure, safety, traffic management, waste disposal and market administration”, the order stated.
Representatives of NGOs GOACAN and United Goans Foundation have been included in the 15-member panel.
