Team Herald
MARGAO: South Goa Planning and Development Authority chairman Wilfred alias Babashan D’Sa on Saturday inspected the wholesale fish market at Margao and informed that the market will be closed after 9 am and only ramponkars will be allowed to sell fish beyond that time from Monday.
He also promised to set up a temporary structure to enable fish cutters to work in clean and healthy conditions.
During his visit to the market at around 12 noon, he noticed that most non-Goan vendors working as loaders were seen selling fish and directed that the market be closed at 9 am.
“Ramponkars have a problem and hence they will be allowed to sell fish without being charged any amount for using the wholesale market,” He directed Milagres Fernandes, who has bagged the contract to collect sopo and maintain the market.
Inspecting the fish cutting place, he admitted that cutting the fish on the ground was not unhygienic and informed that the SGPDA would immediately make temporary arrangements to provide a clean and healthy facility to cut fish which will be in place till the new wholesale market comes up.
Admitting that only 6 fish cutters are registered with the SGPDA, he said the SGPDA would register more fish cutters and informed that some days ago some people had met him to get themselves registered as fish cutters.
He expressed happiness that the congestion at the entrance of wholesale fish market has been eased as no vendors are allowed to sell fish along the roadside as all have been accommodated inside. Besides, parking along the road is also controlled by the two security officials appointed by the contractor.
He said SGPDA would soon decide whether to apply for water connections at the market or opt for a bore well as water scarcity was a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Disclosing that the previous contractor used to pay Rs 1.70 lakh per month, he said the amount to be paid by the new contractor is not yet finalised.
