MARGAO: Margao Municipal Council Chairperson Dr Babita Prabhudesai on Wednesday has given strict instructions to the Market Inspectors to put an end to the sale of home grown produce by the villagers on the roadside in Margao.
The action was taken following a complaint lodged by Vegetable, Readymade and Cloth Vendors Association that they are not able to sell their produce in the designated markets, as the villagers are doing business by the roadside and is preferred by the customers.
“People who are selling home grown produce at the designated markets of Margao are not finding buyers as the roadside vendors are making brisk business,” said Rajendra Azgaonkar of the Association and also pointed out that they cause a lot of traffic hazard.
Dr Babita agreeing to the traffic hazard caused by them and while pointing out that MMC is not receiving any income from these roadside vendors also lamented that their number keeps increasing with every passing day.
“They had started selling opposite the police station and now their line has gone right up to Popular High School,” she exclaimed while admitting that even at Marliz there are people selling vegetables during the afternoon.
She directed the Market Inspectors to go back to the old system introduced by Johnson Fernandes when he was the Chief Officer wherein the staff would work in shifts to ensure that there are no encroachments on the roadside by any vendors.
She asked them to prepare the schedule so that one shift would start by 8 am and the second shift would end by 8 pm.
“This way there will be a loud and clear message to these vendors that they will not be able to sell their produce in a haphazard manner,” she said.
