Team Herald
Panjim: It’s a battle for livelihood that was fought right up to the Supreme Court, and now that they have finally got a favourable ruling, the meat vendors of Panjim are cautiously optimistic about their future.
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The Supreme Court on Tuesday had directed the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) to allocate fixed spots to the meat vendors in a temporary shed being constructed for the rehabilitation of fish vendors at the old fish market complex.
All Goa Beef Vendors Association president, Mannasab Bepari, hailed the verdict, stating, “We are satisfied with the Supreme Court order. The judge heard our grievances and acknowledged that we need to be rehabilitated. Our lawyers, former Additional Solicitor General Atmaram Nadkarni and Advocate Rohit Bras De Sa, also presented our case and convinced the court of the need for our rehabilitation. We are now awaiting the next steps.”
One of the petitioners, Mushtak Hussain Khatib, expressed relief, saying, “We are extremely happy that we have received justice. We were the rightful occupants of the fish market building until it was demolished. In October 2024, the High Court had instructed CCP to frame a scheme for the meat vendors within six months, but the Corporation challenged the order in Supreme Court. Our livelihoods were impacted over the last six months as we were unable to conduct our business.”
CCP Market Committee Chairman and Councillor Bento Lorena confirmed that the Corporation would comply with the court’s ruling. “We will follow the Supreme Court’s instructions and provide six spots to the meat vendors in the fish market. Additionally, we will make provisions for them to store refrigerators. Vendors will be required to pay sopo (tax) to the CCP, and they will be allowed to occupy these spots until the new building is completed,” Lorena said.
