the goan I network
VASCO: Denied permission to sell wholesale fish near the Vasco fish market, a wholesaler seemingly outwitted fish vendors and the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) by opening a frozen food shop in the area to sell one main product: frozen fish. This, however, did not go down well with the fish vendors at the fish market.
Fisherwomen associated with the Vasco Fish market Association led by Caridade Periera demanded immediate closure of the new shop and went to the shop, threatening to forcibly close it. The fisherwomen also marched to the MMC and accused the council of providing a licence to sell wholesale fish under the pretext of frozen foods.
Vasco police rushed to the spot and tried to bring the situation under control.
Incidentally, the new shop is being operated by a person who was earlier engaged in wholesale fish sale at a stall opposite the fish market, but was asked to shut down by MMC on grounds that no person was allowed to sell fish outside the fish market. However, the same wholesaler has now opened an outlet near the fish market with a valid trade license to sell frozen foods, which could include fish as well.
The angry fisherwomen confronted MMC Chief officer Agnelo Fernandes, who explained that the trade licence was issued upon receipt of all documents and permissions.
Fernandes said the outlet was permitted to sell frozen food and it engaged in selling anything besides frozen food, then action would be initiated. Fernandes also persuaded the fisherwomen not to take the law in their own hands but to file a complaint and assured that the MMC would summon both parties for a meeting in the matter.
