Team Herald
PONDA: With Goan vendors preferring to stay at home on account of the partial lockdown, most migrant fish and vegetable vendors took full advantage of this opportunity and conducted brisk business in the Ponda market on Sunday.
The Pondaites and local vendors questioned the rationale behind this lockdown.
Viraj Sapre, a social worker questioned whether the COVID safety norms were different for local and migrant vendors.
Sapre slammed the law enforcing agencies for not taking action against these migrant vendors, who he claimed were not even following social distancing norms thereby putting the lives of the locals at risk.
He said, since day one of the partial lockdown, the migrant vendors were selling vegetables and fish in the Ponda fish market and at Shantinagar Junction. On second day, the weekly market was shut for all. However, on third day (Sunday) the locals were shocked to see most migrant vendors selling fish and chicken in the market. Some were seen selling fruits near the fish market as Goan vendors stayed at home in view of the lockdown.
He also alleged that some politicians were supporting these migrant vendors and accused the law enforcing agencies of turning a blind eye to the sale of goods on the town’s streets due to pressure from local politicians.
