the goan I network
MARGAO
In a major decision, South Goa District Collector Ajit Roy has rejected the application made by the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) seeking re-opening of Goa’s lone wholesale fish market at Margao.
Sources said the Collector has turned down the request of the SGPDA on grounds that the authorities are steadfast in its stand that major markets should not be allowed to reopen keeping in mind the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown.
Officials told The Goan that the Collector has reminded the PDA that the district authorities have shut down mega markets such as the Gandhi Market, New Market and the fish markets as these cannot maintain lockdown norms, including social distancing.
The SGPDA had two days ago knocked the doors of the Collector seeking permission to re-open its wholesale fish market for the Goan trawler owners. After the district authorities sought additional details such as the number of fish-transporting trucks that would come into the market from the jetties, the PDA on Thursday submitted a list of names of 22 boat owners with the registration number of their vehicles.
While the sudden move by the SGPDA had raised many an eyebrow since the trawler owners have been authorized to sell fish by the Directorate of Fisheries as per the laid down guidelines, questions were raised in PDA circles whether the planning body has the wherewithal to enforce social distancing at the wholesale fish market.
Incidentally, the SGPDA retail fish market stands closed since the time the lockdown had come into force as per the Centre’s guidelines, with questions being raised whether the government can allow the wholesale fish market to re-open during the lockdown.
Sources in the know informed that two other groups involved in fishing activities were believed to have enquired with the PDA office on Friday whether they will be also entitled to sell fish in the market.
It still isn’t clear why the SGPDA had to rush with the proposal for the re-opening of the wholesale fish market.
As reported by The Goan, the SGPDA had passed a resolution in support of the re-opening of the wholesale fish market by circulation and after taking signatures of the PDA members.
While the resolution was signed by 10 members, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and his Fatorda counterpart, Vijai Sardesai, had declined to sign the resolution.
