MARGAO: In response to the morcha by the vendors from Gandhi Market, Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has pledged to address the issue of illegal businesses operating on the roadsides, including encroachments and illegal hand carts operating in the jurisdiction of the civic body.
On Tuesday, hundreds of vendors led by former Minister Babu Ajgaonkar and Rajendra Ajgaonkar, President of Vegetable, Readymade and Cloth Vendors Association of Gandhi Market, besides councillor Ronita Ajgaonkar, took out a massive protest against the MMC, demanding immediate action against the illegal businesses and other issues related to the market.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Before marching towards the Municipality, vendors gathered at the Gandhi Market and were addressed by former minister Babu Ajgaonkar.
Ajgaonkar raised questions with regard to sopo tax being collected from the illegal business operators and no action is taken against them, despite knowing that they operate illegally. He pointed out that at several places including near Comunidade building square, station road, etc illegal businesses and hand carts are thriving, resulting in losses to all those legal vendors in the Gandhi Market. Ajgaonkar further demanded that outsiders should stop selling ‘tambddi bhaji’ immediately.
Rajendra Ajgaonkar also slammed the incomplete sheds at Gandhi Market and said no permissions were granted by the civic body to repair the existing shops in the market.
He also alleged that MMC staff was misleading the Chairperson and that the sopo collector was collecting extra money from the vendors. Responding to the issues raised by the vendors, Damodar Shirodkar, Chairperson and Gaurish Sankhwalkar, Chief Officer assured to initiate strict action against all those engaged in illegal business on the road sides.
“Area near the Comunidade Building Square will be cleared from the illegal business activities within next eight days, besides action against the illegalities in the market areas including enhancements,” the Chairperson assured.
He added that the civic body will not entertain any phone calls from the vendors or their leaders to spare them from the action.
“Pending works of the shed in Gandhi Market will be completed and plans are in pipeline,” said Shirodkar.
He refuted charges of extra money being extracted from the vendors by the sopo contractors and appealed to bring evidence in order to initiate action.
However, vendors from Gandhi Market said that they will again take out morcha against the civic body if action is not initiated within the next 15 days.
