Andrew Faleiro is on his way to Panjim early morning and his KTC shuttle is delayed by around 15 minutes. Andrew decides to grab some chips and a cup of coffee for his journey. But after having ripped the chips and sipped the coffee he is shocked when the shopkeeper wants Rs 10 more on MRP of the chips packet and Rs 6 extra on the vending machine coffee. An argument breaks out between Andrew and the shopkeeper and the shopkeepers’ threat is ‘do what you want and complain to whoever you want but pay up right now.’
The grievance is also brought to our notice by one of our Herald staffers who also does the usual commute from Margao to Panjim like thousand other Madganvkars. These commuters come and work in government and private companies in Panjim or Central government offices in Vasco or even the coastal Canacona belt and most of them they are often fleeced by these nine odd shops at the Margao bus stand that sell savouries, sweets, snacks, teas and coffees while most make a quick buck from selling tobacco, cold drinks, juices, mineral water, biscuits, cigarettes, etc.
“We have raided these shops very often for sale of chewda and other edibles in sealed packets with no MRP and selling cigarettes for Rs 10 extra or selling food items without mentioning date of manufacturing or contents of the packet. Every time these elements get away with a warning and fine. The problem is the MMC needs to be proactive in this matter,” stated Assistant Controller of Legal Metrology, South zone, Arun Thanjunkar.
KTC Chairman Carlos Almeida explains that the KTC is only involved in a process through its department to auction these shops as and when a need arises and allot them on a contract basis for a particular amount of rent but besides that the onus is not on the KTC to overlook trade matters and prices of goods sold at these shops despite them being in the KTC premises.
Vishwas Dessai speaking, on behalf of the nine shops, asserted that “the bus stand is only solely utilised from 8 am to 7 pm and hence the bus stand is not an option to visit beyond the few hours when buses are available or ply and due to the exorbitant rents and congested spaces provided which means stocking lesser variety of goods.
