Team Herald
PANJIM: The Panjim Market Tenants Association has extended its support to the meat vendors who have been displaced after demolition the old fish market in the capital city.
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Speaking to O Heraldo, Rajendra Dhamaskar, Panjim Market Tenants Association President, said, ” They have our support as they are traders like us and are dependent totally their trade for their livelihood and we middle class people are totally dependent on our business outlets for feeding our families.”
“The government should understand that these people are dependent on their small businesses. We do not have huge finances to support us and have been paying rent to the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) for years. This is not a new market and it existed even when the Portuguese ruled the State,” he pointed out.
“We do not want to fight with the authorities and the issue needs to be solved amicably. We must understand that the traders had incurred losses during Covid period as the shops were closed for around two years. Even in the new market, traders are waiting for customers whose numbers have dwindled. I request the government, especially Panjim MLA and Minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate to intervene in the matter and find a way out for the traders,” he said.
The CCP demolished the 1980’s-built market building adjacent to the fish market in October. This was done after the Commissioner, Clen Madeira issued a 24-hour eviction notice to the traders.
Earlier, the CCP had constructed a temporary shed in an adjoining space from where the fish vendors are currently operating. Though the fish vendors were rehabilitated, meat traders were not. Worried about their future, the meat vendors sued the civic body before the Bombay High Court at Goa over the action.
On October 18, 2024, the High Court directed the CCP to frame a scheme within six weeks for interim rehabilitation of meat or chicken vendors as an obligation till the new building is constructed and also to submit the details of the new building to be built with a timeline for its completion within eight weeks.
Now the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has filed a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court seeking to quash and set aside the order of the High Court of Bombay at Goa, directing the Corporation to frame a scheme for interim rehabilitation of meat or chicken vendors as obligation was cast on it till the new building was constructed.
However, when contacted CCP officials declined to comment saying the matter was sub-judice.
