TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
VASCO: Fish vendors from Vasco have strongly opposed the proposed construction of a new fish market at Vasco.
Addressing a news conference at Vasco fish market, Carirdade Pereira, leader of the Vasco market fish vendors, stated that they are against construction of the new fish market.
“Once the market is completed, the fish vendors will be prevented from selling fish at the new venue. As the fish market is a multi-storeyed complex, other offices located above the fish market will complain of smell and based on their complaint, the fish vendors will be displaced,” feared Pereira.
“In the past, many laid foundation stones for the fish market, but none were able to construct the market. At the time of construction of the new fish market, we will be forced to sell fish on the footpath and once the market is complete, we will not be allotted space to sell fish in the new premises,” she added.
Pereira said it’s surprising to note that when there are 500 Goan fish vendors selling fish in the market, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) in its records has maintained that only 300 fish vendors are presently selling fish in the market.
“This shows that the government is slowly trying to displace Goan fish market and make provision for other business ventures,” she claimed.
Pereira cited examples of Panjim and Margao fish market, where the fish market was constructed for fish vendors and claimed that the fish vendors in both markets were slowly displaced from the site.
When contacted, Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida said he has not received any representation from Vasco fish vendors against construction of the new market. “The fish market is being built for the betterment of Vasco fish vendors and only after taking all the fish vendors into confidence, I will go ahead with the project,” he assured.
