MARGAO: Chaos unfolded in Margao as the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA), along with the Margao Municipal Council, took stringent action against retail fish selling activities at the SGPDA’s wholesale fish market, amidst heavy police presence.
Local fisherfolk, primarily fish vendors, were seen scrambling to protect their fish stock from being confiscated by the authorities. However, the long-standing issue concerning traditional fishermen, the Ramponkar, remains unresolved, as the SGPDA has failed to address their grievances despite previous assurances.
Authorities have reiterated their stance, suggesting that local fish vendors should seek legal relief, but they will not permit any commercial activities at the market after 10 am.
The action came following an announcement by the authorities a day earlier that they would take strict measures, as ordered by the High Court, in anticipation of an upcoming court hearing on the matter.
A team led by Rohan Navelkar, Engineer at SGPDA, along with market inspectors from the Margao Municipal Council and a large number of workers, arrived at the site on Thursday morning.
Initially, authorities issued warnings to fish vendors to vacate the market area before taking action. However, many fish vendors appeared to disregard the warning.
The situation grew chaotic as fisherfolk were seen desperately trying to protect the stock they had purchased for resale.
SGPDA Engineer Navelkar stated that they are following the High Court’s directives and will not tolerate any activities at the market, including retail fish sales.
“We have a separate retail fish market, and all fish vendors can conduct their business there. We have all the necessary facilities at the retail market. This wholesale fish market will operate from 4 am to 10 am. SGPDA will closely monitor activities here in the future,” he said, urging fisherfolk to seek legal recourse.
Santo Fernandes, Market Inspector at MMC, confirmed that the action would continue in the coming days.
Fisherfolk seek Margao MLA’s support.
MARGAO: Local fisherwomen, exasperated by the eviction drive at the Wholesale Fish Market, rushed to the office of Margao MLA and SGPDA Board member Digambar Kamat, hoping that their grievances would be heard and addressed.
The fisherwomen, who were not allowed to sell fish near the market on Thursday, expressed their frustration, emphasising that they have been engaged in this business for decades.
Kamat agreed with them and recalled how some of the older fisherwomen used to sell fish near the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) building. Kamat assured the fisherwomen that he had scheduled a meeting with SGPDA Chairman Krishna ‘Daji’ Salkar for Friday evening and invited a few of them to attend and share their views.
Speaking to mediapersons, Kamat acknowledged the delicate nature of the issue, balancing High Court directives with the preservation of the traditional livelihoods of local Goan fish vendors.
He proposed a potential solution, suggesting that vendors be allowed to occupy an unused area within the SGPDA wholesale fish market premises. Kamat also proposed that those wishing to stay beyond the market’s 9 pm closure could pay a nominal fee for the privilege of sitting inside the market. Kamat emphasised that the key issue was preventing the sale of retail fish on the roadside due to concerns over the stench and dumping of garbage in the area.
