This was long required as the kiosks at that spot, besides encroaching on government land, created an obstruction to the free flow of traffic – including ambulances – entering and exiting the hospital. This was required and the only question that should be asked, if at all, is why did it take this long for the government to act on a 2018 order of demolition.
The order for demolition was made out on July 10, 2018 stating that the vendors had encroached on government property and erected structures without obtaining permission from the competent authorities and carried out commercial activities illegally in government property. There was enough reason to act on it immediately, but somehow, for reasons that will remain wrapped in the dusty draws of the government, this didn’t happen until this week. There was also enough time since 2018 till now for any of the aggrieved parties to have challenged the order if they felt there was some injustice. That did not happen.
Another good decision taken is that the Goan vendors, as identified by the panchayat, whose kiosks have been demolished will be relocated and rehabilitated in such manner that their presence does not obstruct the traffic flow, the Collector and the Goa Medical College authorities will work in tandem on this. Acting quickly, the displaced fruit vendors were given an alternative place the very next day, though those who had stalls will be relocated in due course of time. But there is another issue here, according to the local MLAs, about 70 per cent of the stalls were sublet to non-Goans.
The fear of sub-letting the kiosks has also been taken care off with the Chief Minister warning that this practice will not be entertained. Interestingly, the local representatives have said that the village sarpanch will be held responsible and face disqualification if he or she fails to initiate action against those renting out their kiosks and stalls. Placing the responsibility on the sarpanch is a good move as it could ensure that sub-letting does not happen. But, this can happen only if somebody is keeping check on the kiosks. Will the MLA do this? Or is this just another statement to play to the galleries?
There are, however, opinions that the timing of clearing the vendors from the space was not right, essentially due to the pandemic, and St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes had, a day before the demolition, requested the Chief Minister to protect the livelihood of ‘Goan vendors and relocate them’ although they had encroached on the government land. Another view, coming from political parties, was that this was inhuman as many of those who had their kiosks demolished are sole earners. The demand is that they be rehabilitated in a hygienic and well-designed market place. The last is already taking place, and it is perhaps one of the rare times when the government has acted so quickly in rehabilitation.
Political parties and other politicians crying foul over this action is nothing but an attempt to get some mileage in the runup to the elections. The important issues here are that there was encroachment, there was illegality, it was hampering the free flow of traffic and that the genuine Goan vendors are being rehabilitated. What has been seen is some decisiveness in the government that otherwise vacillates on decisions. What needs to be now ensured is that such encroachments do not occur again. It cannot be ruled out that once the authorities let down their guard, the illegalities will not return. It was a minor decision but it indicated that if required the government can be firm.
