QUEPEM: The Curchorem Market Merchants’ Association has locked horns with the Daynand Kala Kendra and Chanderi Programme Committee over the pop-up bazaar planned in the village as part of the Chanderi Cultural Festival later this month.
While the merchants claim that the bazaar will eat into their business and lure away their customers, the Chanderi committee members say that such events and shopping fairs are held all over Goa, and insist on going ahead with their plans.
While the Curchorem police were called in to negotiate terms and attempt a compromise between the two parties on Saturday, neither was willing to give in. “Such exhibitions and bazaars are organised in all other cities and towns of Goa; why not in the Curchorem market? Our stalls will only be open after 7 pm, which is after the market closes. The sale is very much part of the cultural event,” said Mortu Naik, President, Chanderi Programme Committee.
Merchant Association President Rosha Pereira alleged that the committee was erecting 100-150 stalls, in addition to around 50 food stalls, without permission from the local Municipality. “Most of these stalls will be manned by people from outside Goa, at the cost of the livelihood of Goans,” said Pereira,
