MARGAO: Local vendors coming all the way from rural areas to Margao town on Monday marched into the office of the Chief Officer and market inspector, and demanded strict action against the migrant vendors engaged in illegal business. They have even warned of a hunger strike in front of Margao municipal building if they fail to act at the earliest.
A morcha of nearly hundred local vendors mostly from scheduled tribes communities led by social activist Croydon Medeira took the morcha against the MMC. They accused the market inspectors for allowing migrant vendors to carry out illegal businesses in the city by taking haptas.
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Speaking to the media, Croydon alleged that MMC is doing grave injustice against the Niz Goemkars.
“We have been urging the civic body to act against all the migrant vendors selling fruits, flowers and vegetables illegally. However, MMC failed to take action, and as a result the local vendors coming all the way from rural areas suffer,” he claimed.
Croydon further warned that Niz Goemkar vendors who work hard to earn their livelihood will not tolerate illegal business by the migrant vendors in the jurisdiction of Margao municipality.
“Will bring more vendors to the officials or will even go to the extent of doing a hunger strike, if the civic body fails to act. Everywhere the same problem is being faced by the Goans, as no action is seen against the migrant vendors engaged in illegal business,” he stated.
He further alleged that even the councillors are supporting the migrant vendors.
One of the vendors said that they will take law into their hands if the civic body fails to take action against the migrant vendors doing illegal businesses and creating problems for local vendors.
“It is the duty of the government and local authority to protect the Goans but it seems everything is the opposite. Henceforth, we will not allow those migrants doing illegal businesses,” said the vendor.
Agnelo Fernandes, Chief Officer MMC, said local vendors have met him and demanded action against the outsiders doing illegal business in the jurisdiction of the civic body.
“This is a crucial issue and needs to be resolved in a systematic way. And hence, I will discuss the issue with the council and an appropriate decision will be taken in the next few days of time,” he stated.
