PONDA: The Tivre-Vargao panchayat’s efforts to relocate the fish vendors at the Marcel Market to the newly-built shed in the premises of the KTC Bus Stand were in vain, with the vendors refusing to leave their old, rundown facility. On Tuesday, a Ponda police team tried to intervene on behalf of the panchayat, but were unable to convince the fish vendors to move.
It may be recalled that the panchayat had shifted the fish sellers to the new shed a few days ago, but they returned to their old haunt the very next day, complaining that they did not get any customers at the new site, and that the unauthorised hawkers on the highway were eating into their business.
The fish vendors told the police that they have not had any official correspondence nor have they signed an agreement with the KTC Authorities. They said they have even approached the court and even filed a petition with the Director of Panchayats. As the matter is subjudice, the police could not do much, and thus, the impasse between the fish vendors and the panchayat continues. Panchayat sources said they are keen to relocate the vendors to ease traffic congestion around the old fish market.
