Team Herald
VASCO: The fish vendors at Baina fish market are suffering losses as Mormugao Municipal Council has a turned blind eye to the illegal trade of the fish business by the roadside at various places in the port town.
The market is rarely visited by visitors and is on the decline. To add to the misery of the fish vendors, they have to pay the rent and other taxes to the municipality despite not making much sales.
This market earlier was occupied by fish, coconut and vegetable vendors. However, some of the vegetable vendors not belonging to the market set up their businesses by the roadside. Since Mormugao municipality did not take any action despite complaining, the market vegetable vendors too shifted their base by the roadside. On the other hand, some started selling fish illegally in front of Baina Youth Recreational Club, which was opposed by the market vendors.
They complained about it to the MMC, local leaders and even police. However, no authority initiated action against these encroachments. Due to a decline in the sale at the market, 16 out of 20 fish vendors have stopped handling their business in the market.
The situation has been criticised by the remaining four vendors who expressed their displeasure over the municipality’s lethargic approach regarding taking any action.
