MAPUSA
The traditional fish vendors in the Aldona fish market have threatened to close the fish market for four days from October 12 in protest against non-Goans, who they said, have robbed them of business and livelihood.
According to the fish vendors, many non-Goans have been illegally moving around on motorbikes selling fish in the village bylanes.
The fish vendors have written to the local panchayat to take steps to stop the non-Goans from selling fish as people do not come to the market to purchase fish causing loss to them.
“We are residents of Aldona and therefore pay various taxes to the panchayat. We also pay Sopo to sell fish in the market. These non-Goans are carrying out their business illegally without paying any taxes,” the fish vendors said in a written appeal to the Aldona Sarpanch.
“We request you to look in the matter and take suitable action against the non-Goans who are selling fish in the village wards,” the vendors added.
A local fish vendor, Vinod Toraskar, said they had written to the panchayat and also spoke to the local MLA some time back, but nothing much has happened.
“Some 40 non-Goans move around on two-wheelers selling fish in the village. As per the Motor Vehicle Act, they are not supposed to do business of selling fish. But the authorities are yet to rein them in,” Toraskar said.
He said the traditional fish vendors will shut the Aldona fish market for four days to protest the injustice done to local fish vendors.
Aldona MLA Glenn Ticlo informed that some fish vendors from the market had met him and explained the problems they faced.
Ticlo said he has already directed the police and even the RTO department to take action against those who sell fish on two-wheelers.
“Those who sell fish on bikes do not have required permissions to do business. They have to get permission from the Department of Food and Drugs Administration and other local authorities,” Ticlo said.
He further said that police have already started taking action against the non-Goan fish vendors who do not comply with the rules.
After the lockdown and during the ongoing pandemic, several vendors have started selling goods by the roadside in various municipal and panchayat wards offering doorstep services to the public.
Several Goans have also started selling fish, vegetables and fruits by the roadside to make ends meet.
