Towns and villages across have been dealing for a long time now with the same issue – lack of market space. In addition to space, off late there is another issue of locals having little to no ‘access’ to set up their businesses in the designated markets. In almost all the markets a similar complain resonates, outsiders or migrants are taking over the business spaces and the locals are being sidelined.
These issues have a ripple effect over a number of other issues, however, there are a couple of them which need the immediate attention of the government and the local self-governing bodies, such as the municipalities and village panchayats. 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.
If an individual has the capacity to rent out a shop and establish a business in the market, then that is the first choice. However, for those who can’t afford to pay the rents and are making a humble beginning with very little investments have had to take to opening up kiosks by the roadside or indulge in street vending. Those who are establishing businesses within the market spaces have been doing so by ensuring they have the support of their political masters, as no business can be presently established without having the unspoken ‘protective hand’ of local politicians.
The more visible chaos though is being created by the roadside kiosks and vendors. Very often, these vendors and kiosks encroach upon the pedestrian pathways and there is very little action from the authorities concerned, leading to dangers of road accidents.
The latest addition to street vending are those from neighbouring States that come to Goa with their vehicles, park them by the roadside on highways, internal roads, major junctions, street corners in towns and villages, and after making brisk business, disappear at the end of the day. If one wishes to apprehend them, the next day the vehicle will not be seen at the spot and therefore any action on the following day is next to impossible as the illegal ‘mobile shop’ cannot be traced. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the authorities concerned that action is taken the very day and moment such vendors are noticed. While such on-the-move vendors do not add any revenue to the local bodies, on the other extreme end, they could also pose a security threat to the State, as Goa is getting popular by the day as a safe haven for criminals to go unnoticed in the tourist destination.
However, the question of migrant or outsiders in the existing market complexes still remains. To that end there are several reasons which act as a supporting component to such businesses being set up by outsiders. Firstly, there is a huge demand for spaces in the market by those who arrive in the State with a capital. Goans by and large have very little access to financial capital and thus are unable to compete with these outsiders. They dominate the rental market and are able to establish their businesses. And this is precisely where the municipalities and panchayats have failed the locals.
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.
The State government has another task at hand. While access to opportunities is the primary responsibility, it will also have to ensure that Goans have access to financial support in the form of capital. If Goans have to excel in businesses then alongside skilling, the government will have to broaden the horizon and scope for capital support. Without access to capital, no individual will be able to establish a sound and healthy business. After all, as an anonymous saying goes, “When you support a small business, you support a dream.”
