MARGAO
Illegal roadside fish vending, which had become a norm than an exception in the commercial capital in times of Covid-19 pandemic will be finally dealt with an iron hand.
The Margao Municipal Council, which had literally turned a blind eye to fish vendors across the city, right from the wholesale fish market road to the pick-up stand road, near flyover and other areas during the pandemic, has finally decided to crack a whip against the illegal fish vending from Monday.
In fact, MMC Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes has warned that the fish confiscated during the drive will not be returned back to the vendors, but will be distributed to the shelter homes and homes for the aged. “When there’s a notified fish market in the city, there cannot be fish vendors selling fish along the roadsides across the city. This illegality has to stop, the Municipality has decided to crack a whip against this illegal activity from Monday with the help of police protection,” he said.
To ensure that both men and vehicles are made available for the drive, the Chief Officer has written a letter to the South Goa district Collector, to return back the MMC vehicles that were requisitioned for Covid work.
Meanwhile, the MMC Chief Officer said the data of street vendors whose business has suffered due to the pandemic is underway. He said the affected vendors are eligible for an amount of Rs 10,000 under the PM Svanidhi scheme as loan.
“This scheme is specially for the Street Vendors who suffered loss due to Covid-19. Public are requested to check the survey status whether they have been covered in the survey carried out by Urban local bodies. If not they can still come again and contact Sayesh 7972413922 for further details,” he said.
Agnelo pointed out that all the Civic bodies were directed to survey the vendors in their respective jurisdiction before earmarking vending zones.
