The battle between the Ponda Municipal Council and the market vendors has scaled new heights this time with the municipality standing firm on its decision over the shifting of the Matoli Bazaar to the approach road and the latter submitting a memorandum, claiming that the move will result in heavy losses to them.
It may be recalled that the Ponda Municipal Council on Wednesday decided to shift the traditional Matoli Bazaar for the Ganesh Chaturthi to the approach road, inviting opposition from the market vendors.
Standing firm on its decision, the PMC on Thursday said the approach road behind the Ponda market has adequate seating arrangements and barricades have also placed for vendors to sell their goods at the Bazaar for the next three days. The traffic police and municipal staff will monitor and supervise the smooth functioning of Matoli Bazaar with regards to parking and flow of traffic.
Speaking to Herald, councillor Irvin Soares, who is entrusted with the task of looking after the Matoli and traffic management, said, “We would not allow vendors including those protesting PMC’s decision. Vendors will have to follow the municipality’s decision.”
Irvin said, “Vendors coming to sell their goods at Matoli Bazaar will be accommodated and allowed to sell their goods at the new venue as decided by Council. We have made all preparations and arrangements for installing light fixtures will be made as Matoli Bazaar continues till late night.”
Meanwhile, the market vendors opposing the PMC’s decision to shift the traditional Ganesh Festival Matoli Bazaar to the approach road, on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the municipality, claiming that the move would result in heavy losses to them.
Around 108 vendors from the market submitted the memorandum to the PMC, claiming that the next three days are important for them to sell their goods at the Bazaar.
M Jafar Lalmiya, who led the vendors to the PMC, said, “The PMC’s sudden decision to shift the bazaar would cause them heavy losses as so called approach road is not known to public. We request the PMC that before implementing its decision, it should grant permission to us for next three days i.e. Friday, Saturday and Sunday to sell our goods at the usual place and if need be shift the same thereafter.”
The vendors in their memorandum claimed that PMC has taken the decision suddenly without taking them into confidence and that the vendors coming to sell their produce in Ponda market, will be confused and may lose business.
“Though PMC claims of clearing footpaths and shifting the Matoli Bazaar, it is known that at the usual market place, many vendors have encroached upon the footpaths to conduct business by taking shelter in front of some shops along the footpaths. The fire crackers and lotteries are being sold along the main Bazaar Road,” Lalmiya alleged.
Meanwhile, the members of two associations — Ponda Vyapari Sangatana and Amchi Vyapari Sangatana have welcomed the PMC’s move to shift the Matoli Bazaar.
The Pondaites too have supported the PMC’s decision as the approach road being a wide open area with adequate seating arrangement for vendors also has a separate space for parking.
