Team Herald
MARGAO: The Margao Municipality on Monday did not allow the vendors of New Market to open their shops. The New Market Traders’ Association demanded the opening of the market or shut all shops in Margao, besides vendors selling goods on the roadside.
New Market Traders expressed their anger over the authorities for inaction against the roadside vendors. On the other hand, the civic body has called a meeting on June 1, to discuss and to decide on the demands of New Market vendors.
Few traders gathered at the entrance of the New Market in order to open it. Chairperson Lyndon Pereira, Vice-Chairperson Dipali Sawal, and other officials, besides police rushed to the site and stopped the traders from opening their shops.
Arguing with the chairperson, the traders questioned as to why the sale of goods is allowed on the roadside.
“We too have our families and at the moment we are struggling to survive. Our goods are damaged inside the shops and we lost earnings,” claimed a trader.
He also said rules must be the same for all and MMC cannot allow few to operate their business and stop others.
President of New Market Traders Association Vinod Shirodkar said they should be allowed to open the business following all the protocols of COVID.
Addressing the media persons, chairperson Lyndon Pereira said, “Traders are requesting us to allow opening of the market, as their goods have perished. But we do not have the authority to allow them open the market. The District Collector has orders now to open the market”, he stated.
He said MMC can act against the vendors selling goods on the roadside and will initiate action accordingly. “Will be meeting and action will be taken”, he assured.
It may be recalled that a few days ago, Vinod Shirodkar had announced that they would open the market on Monday (May 31).
He had demanded that the MMC take action against the vendors selling goods on the roadside.
Traders had also submitted a memorandum to Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes, which was later forwarded to South Goa District Collector. However, the Collector did not permit the MMC to allow traders to open the market.
