OLD GOA
The MLAs of St Cruz Tony Fernandes and St Andre Francis Silveira had their way as they got the fruit and vegetables vendors relocated, on Saturday, even as initially they had to face stiff opposition from the Mamlatdar Rahul Dessai who refused permission and asked the MLAs to get directives from higher authorities.
Both the MLAs accompanied by over a hundred supporters, which included sarpanchas and panchas, had made up their minds on Friday night that they would relocate the fruit vendors come what may and would even get arrested if the authorities refused to comply with their demand.
But initially they had to run into Mamlatdar Dessai who said that he cannot allow vendors to be relocated as he had strict orders from his higher authorities.
Dessai further advised both the MLAs to get directives from the higher authorities, only after which he would be able to budge.
Fernandes and Silveira, facing flak not only from their opponents but from their own supporters, stood their ground that they would not return without relocating the fruit vendors and told the Mamlatdar to get them arrested if they are denied permission.
Finally, the MLAs called up the chief minister Pramod Sawant who then issued oral directions to allow relocation of the fruit vendors.
It was only after directives from the CM that Mamlatdar Dessai allowed the vendors to move into the open space outside the GMC.
A total of 15 fruits and vegetables vendors were later relocated in the area with the MLAs strictly issuing warning to the vendors not to allow congestion of traffic and also not to allow more vendors to move in.
Speaking to the media, St Cruz MLA Fernandes hit out at the NGOs and activists for unnecessarily criticizing them without knowing the reality.
“Where are these NGOs and activists now? They know only to shout and gain publicity. But we are the ones who stood by the vendors and today have got them relocated on a temporary basis, which soon will be made a permanent move,” Fernandes stated.
Fernandes also said that the Collector acts on his own but the chief minister is with them due to which they were able to get vendors relocated.
But when questioned whether it means that there are differences between the administration and the government, Fernandes said that the officers go by law.
St Andre MLA Silveira also took out his anger at the activists while challenging them to contest the upcoming elections against him individually.
“Let these activists contest against me individually and not by ganging up,” Silveira said and questioned where these activists were when the people needed help.
“During Covid pandemic and cyclone Tauktae we were the ones who came to the rescue of the people, just like today and will continue to do so,” he added.
A strong posse of policemen were present near the relocation site including PIs of Agassaim, Old Goa and Panaji police stations.
Sarpanchas of all the seven panchayats of St Andre constituency and Santa Cruz panchayat along with several panchas were part of the crowd who gathered to support the relocation of the fruit vendors.
