Meat Vendors Oppose CCP’s Proposal to Share Space with Fish Sellers

Team Herald

PANJIM: Meat vendors whose shops were recently sealed and demolished by the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) as part of the old fish market’s redevelopment plan, have opposed the municipality’s proposal to share space alongside fish vendors.

- Advertisement -

If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.

Speaking to O Heraldo, All Goa Beef Vendors Association president, Manna Bepari, said, “The CCP’s resolution will not serve our purpose. A resolution has been passed by the CCP to allocate space for us to sell our products, but that setup will function like SOPO. We are against this arrangement as we must adhere to FSSAI and FDA norms. We cannot sell our products like fish

vendors.”

Bepari further highlighted religious sensitivities, stating, “Fish is purchased by people of all religions. If we are forced to sit with fish vendors, it could hurt the religious sentiments of some people. The CCP should understand this. As licensed tenants, we cannot sell beef in baskets.”

In response, CCP councillor and market committee chairman, Bento Lorena, assured that adequate space will be provided to meat vendors, addressing their concerns. “They will be given enough space, and it will not be like SOPO. The area will be larger, and we will ensure sufficient distance between meat vendors and fish vendors to respect all communities’ sentiments,” Lorena stated.

When asked about the issue of refreezing meat, Lorena clarified that vendors will need to manage this independently until the new market complex at the old building site is completed. “The new complex will include facilities for refreezing meat,”

he added.

The CCP recently resolved to allow the six meat vendors to sell their products under the same conditions as fish vendors, paying a daily SOPO fee in a shed being constructed for fish vendors. However, the area proposed by the meat

vendors in their representation was deemed unsuitable due to the planned construction of the third phase of the market in that location.