TEAM HERALD
PORVORIM: Fish vendors observed a bandh at the Mapusa market on Thursday to demand better facilities and enhanced security in the market. The fish vendors marched to the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) and submitted a memorandum stating their demands to Chairperson Sandeep Falari.
The fish vendors demanded that the statues of Ganpati and Our lady of Vailankanni should be installed at the places earmarked in the market, while toilets and restrooms for fish vendors should be handed over to their society. They also demanded that office space and canteen facility be allotted to their society.
The fish vendors also insisted that MMC should appoint security on a shift basis due to rising crimes in the market and that, the freezer room operations should be handed over to the fish vendor’s society, as it will facilitate them to monitor the workload and quantum of fish stored by their members. The vendors assured to undertake the responsibility of maintaining and cleaning the freezer room by appointing an in-charge, states the memorandum.
Falari told the fish vendors that MMC has to follow the guidelines given in the Municipal Act and they cannot act arbitrarily and allot facilities in the fish market complex to anybody.
“MMC has decided to auction the canteen, cold storage, snacks parlour, etc. Notice inviting tenders for it has already been published in the newspapers and the fish vendors society can participate in it,” informed Falari.
“The highest bidder will be allotted the canteen, cold storage and the snacks parlour,” added the chairperson.
“In regard to the installation of the statues, MMC has formed a committee which has discussed the issue with the representatives of the fish vendors. The second meeting will be held on January 20 and the matter will be finalized, he said. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will inaugurate the new fish market complex on January 26 at 11.30 am,” informed Falari.
