BICHOLIM: Even as preparations are underway to the famous Shirgao Zatra, the Devastan Committee has expressed sadness over the fact that very few Goans have come forward to set up stalls for the zatra.
As per the information last week there was auction of stalls and several non-Goans were present for the same. The committee was planning to ban the gobi manchurian stalls but surprisingly these same stall owners gave highest bid.
“We have decided to urge the stall owners to ban use of plastic and also avoid giving plastic bags to the people” Shirgao Lairai Temple Devasthan president Mahadev Gaonkar informed.
Almost all preparations for the zatra are in place and the Bicholim Mamlatdar, Pravinjay Pandit had convened a meeting for the smooth conduct of the zatra.
The devasthan grieves over the fact that very few Goans are interested in the stalls for the zatra. “We prefer that the stalls should be given to Goans but during the tendering process the highest bidder gets the shop and in most cases it is non-Goans,” Gaonkar added.
This year there are some stalls which have gone for a bid as high as Rs 49,000. “The non-Goans who sell even Gobi Manchurian are ready to pay around Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 for the stall,” a resident informed.
“This year even among the Goan sweetmeat sellers there was competition for the bid and they have raised the bid for their shops. Though it is profitable for the devasthan in the long run it is loss for these stall owners as next year we cannot bring down the price which has been increased this year,” Gaonkar said.
According to the committee, there are some hotels in the vicinity of the Homkhand, which are still left without any owner. “We have kept at least two hotel spaces vacant as no Goans approached us and we are not willing to give them to non-Goans who are ready to pay even Rs 50,000” Gaonkar informed.
