WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
MARCOS GONSALVES
MARGAO: The State government’s “difficulty” in implementing former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar’s concept of “roadside markets” has left hundreds of roadside vendors from South Goa rural areas struggling to earn their livelihood in selling their produce.
It may be recalled that Parrikar during his tenure as Chief Minister had assured to implement the “roadside markets” concept for such vendors.
However, it appears that the State government is finding it difficult to go ahead with the above concept as the same does not fit between the boundaries of legal aspects. However, the Agriculture Department is in the final stages of implementing the new concept within the next few days just like “weekly markets”.
A Herald visit revealed that several local roadside vendors were selling their produce sitting by the roadside in and around Salcete taluka. These vendors said they are still waiting for Parrikar's assurance to be fulfilled as they are facing a tough time in travelling and even earn their daily bread on account of COVID pandemic which has affected their sales by 50 per cent.
These roadside vendors have been selling their produce be it seasonal fruits and vegetables right from Quepem to Verna and from Margao to Ponda.
Vendors from Quepem and Ponda travel to the State’s commercial capital and several other villages in Salcete to sell their produce which include cucumbers, meshmelons, bottle gourds, ash gourds, and leafy vegetables grown during the monsoon.
With most travellers commuting along the road daily, these vendors find it convenient to sell their produce by installing stalls by the roadside.
Speaking to Herald, Disha Gaonkar, a roadside vendor from Morpilla said she has been travelling to Margao for the past 12 years.
"I still remember the assurance given by the then Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar that “roadside markets” will be provided but nothing has materialised till date", she said.
Radha Gaonkar from Barcem, who sells meshmelon opposite the South Goa District Police Headquarters, said Quepem MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar had promised to help them find a market to sell their produce but nothing happened.
Another two roadside vendors namely Nirmala Velip and Subhatra Gaonkar urged the government to help them or come out with some kind of policy.
"We know that it is very risky to sit by the roadside but left with no other option we are forced to do so to earn our livelihood", said Subhatra.
Sidharth Karapurkar, a social activist said “Agriculture in Goa is in bad shape, and the government needs to help and support farmers. For example farmers from Quepem, Canacona, etc, are coming with their produce to Margao and other towns. They are not supported, and are forced to sit and sell their produce by the roadside. Traffic congestion and accidents are reported. Parrikar had promised to provide them a facility to help sell their produce but nothing has materialised so far. The poor always suffer even in a democracy. If the farm sector is supported, the local economy will flourish”.
Deputy Chief Minister and Quepem MLA Chandrakant alias Babu Kavlekar said, “The government had discussed Parrikar’s concept before but it was found that the same cannot be put to use legally.“
"We are trying hard to find a way to help these roadside vendors, who are mostly from rural areas, and are working hard to earn their daily bread by sitting by the roadside", he said.
Kavlekar said the government does not intend to put the lives of these vendors at risk by having “roadside markets.”
"Hence we decided to implement a system just like weekly markets. We have identified a few places such as major bus stands and markets to accommodate these roadside vendors to sell their produce on a weekly basis. The government intends to organise an unorganised sector of farmers", he said.
