VASCO
Stating that vendors had been doing business in the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) markets by paying rent, the Vasco chicken market vendors on Friday said they would respect the decision of council and government officials but would not entertain NGOs who have been targeting them.
The vendors were reacting to a recent joint inspection by NGO Niz Goenkar Fauz (NGF) and officials of FDA, Urban Health Centre and legal metrology at the Vasco chicken market.
Claiming that most chicken vendors did not have approvals and some did not even have trade licenses of the MMC, NGF founder member Suresh Naik said the authorities had issued notices to the vendors and would check for illegalities across various establishments in Vasco.
Admitting that some vendors may have not renewed the licenses, the vendors told reporters that some licenses were pending approval during the Covid pandemic.
Vendors said they were willing to get approvals and licenses renewed and even pay fines, but said NGOs did not have the right to dictate terms to them or target them as they are already struggling for business.
They claimed to have applied for water connections but there had been no response from authorities and they were forced to seek water from a bore well.
Commenting on allegations of poor hygiene and cleanliness at the market, the vendors said they had been paying money for garbage collection and it was the municipal garbage collector’s duty to clear garbage from the market.
The vendors have also written to the MMC chairperson and chief officer refuting allegations by the NGO.
“We have been operating in the market for over 30 years and allegations levelled against us are false and baseless. We are operating with proper documents and following all rules under MMC act, while also abiding by rules of other departments like FDA, Health and Legal metrology. We are also trying our level best to provide a hygienic environment in the market,” they stated in the letter.
“We have also obtained NOC from MMC for sewage connections and we request authorities to expedite the process to give us sewerage connection to dispose of wastewater.”
“We have been regularly paying rent, license fees and even garbage collection fees and we request the MMC not to consider false allegations made against us," the letter added.
