But disgruntled vendors say CM had promised two sheds
TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: The government has accorded its approval for a prayer hall in the SGPDA market complex for use of the three religious communities, but vendors rejected the government decision to allot only 15 sq mts area for the prayer hall when Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had promised two sheds in the PDA garage.
Given the government decision to allot the space for a prayer hall in the market complex, the SGPDA vendors have now extended the December 10 deadline by another 10 days to facilitate the government to make the necessary changes in the area size. “We will announce the date of the bandh after the expiry of the
10-day additional deadline”, informed president of the vendors, Felix Gonsalves.
Earlier in the day, a delegation of the vendors led by Felix Gonsalves, who called on SGPDA Member Secretary Vinod Kumar, lodged their strong objection to the small size of the area. Felix recalled the promise made by the CM in the presence of Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado to allot two sheds in the PDA garage for the prayer hall.
Vinod Kumar expressed his helplessness to increase the area size at his level, while promising to take up the matter with the PDA Chairman Rajan Naik. “The area of 15 sq mts is unacceptable to us. The CM had promised to give us two sheds. The government should honour the promise”, Felix demanded.
When Herald contacted the Fisheries Minister on the issue, he confirmed that the PDA vendors were promised two sheds in the garage for the prayer hall, while promising to take up the matter with the CM.
Meanwhile, the order issued by the Chief Town Planner S T Putturaju stated that the government has agreed o allot 15 sq mts area for the prayer hall for the three religious communities. The order stated that the prayer hall will be owned and constructed by the SGPDA through its own funds.
