18 Apr 2020  |   05:09am IST

Vasco vegetable, fruit vendors want reopening of the markets

Vasco vegetable, fruit vendors  want reopening of the markets

Team Herald

VASCO: Vasco Vegetable and Fruit Vendors Association President Prashant Naik has urged the Mormugao Municipal Council to reopen vegetable and fruit markets in the town.

Averring that since the closure of the markets, the prices of vegetables and fruits have increased, Naik demanded that the markets be reopened by deploying municipal inspectors and police. 

Speaking to the media, Naik said that amidst the state-wide lockdown, people are managing with limited stock of groceries and other essential items. Taking advantage of this situation, he said, some illegal vendors are selling fruits and vegetables at exorbitant prices. 

Naik also pointed out while the licenced vegetable and fruit vendors are actually supporting the lockdown by staying at home, people from other professions are trying their hand in selling vegetables and fruits illegally on the roadside.

Even as he called for reopening of the markets, Naik emphasised that social distancing norms should strictly be followed in the market.

“I feel that MMC should reopen the vegetable and fruit markets by deploying municipal inspectors with the assistance of police to enforce the social distancing,” he said.

When contacted, Municipal Chairman Nandadeep Raut said that the municipality won’t go easy on unauthorised vendors who are selling veggies and fruits at exorbitant prices. He said that he would decide on reopening the main vegetable and fruit markets after discussing the same with all the councillors.

“We have realised that several illegal temporary outlets have mushroomed during this lockdown at different locations all over the municipal jurisdiction. People from various professions have taken up to selling essential commodities such as vegetables, fruits, fish, eggs etc. We won’t go easy on such people. I have instructed municipal inspectors to conduct an immediate survey and find out the location and start taking action,” Raut added.


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