VASCO
Tense scenes unfolded at the new Vasco fish market on Tuesday after fish vendors confronted officials during an inspection of drainage improvement works being undertaken by GSUDA. The inspection was attended by outgoing Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Girish Borker, GSUDA officials and other authorities.
The situation turned chaotic when several fish vendors raised objections over the ongoing works and alleged that their long-pending grievances regarding the market had been ignored. The confrontation intensified, forcing police personnel to rush to the spot to prevent any law and order situation.
Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Nandadeep Raut and former minister Jose Philip D’Souza, were present at the market and extended support to the agitating vendors.
The vendors and opposition leaders strongly criticised GSUDA, Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar and the authorities, alleging that the new fish market project had failed to address the practical needs of fish vendors.
They claimed that the market was not designed after consulting those who use it on a daily basis and alleged that several infrastructure shortcomings continue to affect their livelihood. They also questioned the drainage system and demanded immediate corrective measures.
Responding to the allegations, outgoing MMC Chairperson Girish Borker accused the opposition of unnecessarily creating a ruckus over an issue that was limited to improving the drainage system. He maintained that the inspection was meant only to identify solutions to improve drainage facilities and ensure that the market functions smoothly.
Borker said he had earlier invited fishermen representatives, vendors and opposition leaders to visit the market and offer constructive suggestions before any work was undertaken so that there would be no confusion.
However, he alleged that instead of participating positively, the opposition used the opportunity to convert the inspection into a political platform to target the Vasco MLA, MMC and other authorities.
According to Borker, the issue should have been resolved through discussions rather than confrontation. He said representatives from all political parties should come together to find practical solutions for the benefit of fish vendors instead of creating unnecessary controversy. He further alleged that the opposition’s actions only added to the confusion surrounding the state-of-the-art fish market instead of helping resolve the drainage concerns.
Police remained at the site until the situation was brought under control, while the inspection of the drainage works continued amid the heavy exchange of arguments between the vendors, opposition leaders and authorities.
