SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Markets are the primary component of the economy of any State. The well being of the economy is dependent on the quality of the markets and therefore as dynamic the markets, the better economic activity and business turnover. However, year after year for decades, neither the State government nor the local self-governing bodies have been able to resolve the problems plaguing the markets across Goa. Barring a few village panchayats which have ensured proper market facilities for the locals, especially by way of weekly special bazaars, there is chaos and even rivalry over space allotment within the other markets.
The fish and vegetable markets are in need of dire attention. Plans for construction of new markets is the most common phenomenon across the urban areas, however, the execution and completion of such markets is far from reality.
Let's consider the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) managed wholesale market. It is perennially in the news for all the wrong reasons, including High Court directions for better maintenance and ensuring that the sewage water is not let directly into the rivulet. Despite Court's directions, locals are upset that the water from the market is polluting the rivulet. The only solace for the Madgaokars is that the retail markets are well placed but there too maintenance needs to be better managed, though in comparison these retail fish and vegetable markets are better in comparison to others in the State.
The new fish market in Vasco is under construction, but the chaos over it's ill planning has already begun. Questions are raised over the seating arrangement and sanitation facilities for the vendors as well as the customers. Meanwhile, the temporary fish market and the vegetable markets have been in the news for encroachments. People stop in the middle of the road to purchase items and this causes inconvenience as there are people travelling along this road. Vendors from the old fish market for the traditional Goan vendors occupy the pavement all across the Vasco market and the renovated market converted into a storage place. The authorities concerned need to see to it that all traditional vendors are shifted back to this renovated market.
The entrance of the Mapusa market remains in a super mess. Debris dumped at the doorsteps and the mess has been there for months together. Waste water from the fish market perennially flows and gets stagnated with flies posing a health hazard. Locals and vendors complain that the market is ill-kempt and neither maintained nor washed thoroughly. There is slush and slurry all over the floor of the market and very often senior citizens and elderly fisherwomen have slipped and fallen over the slippery floor and many have not fully recovered.
Despite being a taluka headquarter, Quepem town lacks basic necessity like a proper market, as the new market building is yet to become operational. The building for Quepem market, constructed by Goa State Urban Development Authority (GSUDA), was inaugurated three years ago, but since the premises has not been handed over to the Quepem Municipal Council as yet, it is not operational.
Pernem fisherwomen have raised concerns regarding the dilapidated condition of the fish market shelter. The fisherwomen have demanded thst the authorities take immediate action by repairing the market.
While the municipalities and panchayats have been struggling to construct new market complexes or renovate the existing ones, in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic the rising unemployment has pushed many individuals to try their luck in self-employment. Therefore, a number of youth as well as middle-aged men alongwith their families have been establishing small business outlets.
For decades now the local self-governing bodies have not been able to solve the problem of sub-letting of shops and establishments. Rent or lease agreements are pending for years and while those who had earlier signed the contracts pay a meagre amount, by sub-letting the space they earn high revenues. This double whammy of locals losing out on opportunities to do business and the revenue loss to the local body needs urgent attention from the political class at all levels, including the State government which will have to bring laws that ensure locals have the opportunity to establish businesses and greedy selfish people are not able to take advantage of the situation.
On the other hand, one fails to understand as to why the authorities which collect sopo and other taxes from fish vendors have failed to maintain the markets? Vendors say that businesses are suffering due to the neglect. It time the city fathers wake up and clean the market from time to time to avoid major disasters. But first and foremost, the State government needs to expedite the construction and renovation activities of the markets. Let markets flourish in a healthy environment to boost the economy of the State.
