Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar along with retailers at the Vasco Sunday market.
VASCO
Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik, who has since been transferred, over 24-hour eviction notices issued to shopkeepers of the fire-ravaged Sunday Market.
Accusing the Chief Officer of harassing distressed vendors to satisfy his ego, Salkar said the traders were already struggling to recover from the devastating fire that destroyed their livelihoods, and the notices had pushed them into further panic and uncertainty.
“We have seen two types of people during this fire incident. One type rushes to the spot in the middle of the night to help others, while the other issues notices asking people to vacate their shops within 24 hours, only to harass the victims. These people have already been finished by the fire, and now the Chief Officer is issuing notices to vacate their shops. This is only to satisfy his ego and harass poor people,” Salkar said.
He warned that such behaviour would not be tolerated in Vasco, adding that officials should support fire victims rather than make their lives more difficult.
Salkar said he immediately contacted Chief Minister Pramod Sawant after learning about the notices and the panic among vendors.
“I immediately spoke to the CM, who assured me and asked me to tell the vendors not to worry because we have already begun the process of bringing them back on the right track,” he said.
The MLA said the administration should focus on helping affected traders rebuild their businesses instead of adding to their difficulties through eviction threats.
