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VASCO
Undeterred by protests of several vegetable and fruit vendors, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Kritesh Gaonkar on Tuesday said the MMC would continue its anti-encroachment drive and not stop at any cost.
“We will use police force if required to clear illegal encroachments and market vendors must clear encroachments before such extreme steps are taken,” warned Gaonkar.
Speaking to reporters, Gaonkar clarified the drive was initiated in larger public interest and was not aimed at harassing any vendor.
“The MMC had received several complains in this regards and even directives from the traffic police department and DMA to clear illegal encroachments on priority.”
“People who were given 2x2 metres space to conduct business on temporary basis under Sopo have now erected sheds of 10 metres which is illegal and the previous ruling council panel did nothing about it.”
“Illegalities will not be tolerated and fruit vendors will be shifted from the present roadside location to a different location where traffic movement on the main road will not be affected,” Gaonkar said.
Gaonkar also said the MMC had convened a meeting with the police department and planned to seek police assistance to clear the encroachments.
“I want vendors to cooperate with the MMC and clear the illegal encroachments themselves before we use police force to to clear the encroachments,” said Gaonkar.
Vasco Councillor Krishna Daji Salkar said there were a lot of vendors in the market who had encroached and had used 2 metres extra space on roads to display fruits and vegetables, thus causing obstruction to public leading to a congestion.
“Vendors have resorted to dadagiri (coercive behaviour) and do not comply with MMC directive. We have requested them several times not to block public pathways but they refuse to listen.”
“We will not allow this any more. No vendor will be allowed to carry out any business beyond the allocated area and there will be no compromise,” said Salkar.
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