MARGAO: Traditional fishermen who were selling fish at the wholesale market on Saturday met Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and requested him that the gates of the SGPDA wholesale fish market be opened for them so that they are allowed to sell fish in the market.
The Chief Minister along with the SGPDA Chairman Wilfred D’Sa had earlier this month inspected the wholesale fish market and had ordered removal of all the fishermen selling fish outside the market and also the ones who are retailing fish at the wholesale market.
As the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) began to take action according to the CM’s order after inspection, the traditional fishermen were also driven away. The traditional fishermen had cried foul claiming that the entire market is captured by traders and vehicles from other States leaving little room for wholesalers who are traditional Goan fishermen.
The traditional fishermen – ramponnkar and magkar – met Sawant and placed their demands before the CM in the presence of Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao.
The fishermen have requested the Chief Minister to intervene in the matter and make sure that the traditional fishermen of Goa get a rightful place and time to sell their fish at the wholesale fish market. They also complained that there are many lamanis who operate from this wholesale fish market and have to be removed from there because they are not traditional fishermen but retailers.
The CM enquired about the number of affected fishermen and has conveyed to them of holding a discussion in the matter with the SGPDA Chairman and try to provide them relief.
The Benaulim MLA, Churchill Alemao, also spoke in favour of the fishermen and said that their demands are genuine.
