MAPUSA: Social forums from Mapusa on Tuesday met Chief Officer of Mapusa Municipal Council Kabir Shirgaonkar to highlight the issues of local vendors selling their home grown produce. The forums alleged that the municipality is taking action on local vendors who sell their home grown produce sitting outside the market but allows non-Goans selling their goods illegally.
Forums claimed that on one side the “sopo” contractor charges tax from the local vendors at the roadside and also confiscates their wares. The delegation, however, claimed that several non-Goans come and sell goods using their vehicles but municipal staff does not take action against them.
The forum further demanded action on these illegal activities conducted by the non-Goan sellers. The delegation also requested CO to provide space for these local vendors sitting on roadside.
Forums also alleged that non-Goan vendors are given preference to sit in the market while the locals are left to sit outside the market.
Chief Officer Shirgaonkar said, “I have already instructed the municipal inspector to take action on all illegal vending activities. With regards to allocation of space to vendors, we first need to identify the street vendors. In order to do so, a survey will be conducted so that required steps can be taken to solve the street vendors’ issue.”
“Instructions are given to the Contractor to collect ‘sopo’ of vendors within the market but enquiry will be initiated to find out if tax is being collected from vendors sitting outside the municipal market,” Shirgaonkar added.
