PONDA: Ponda Market Vendors’ Association under the banner of Amchi Vyapari Sangatana led by its president Gharu Sawanth on Monday submitted a memorandum to Ponda Municipal Council Chief Officer demanding that the footpath be cleared of all encroachments.
They claimed that several vendors have encroached upon the footpath, thereby blocking access to consumers to move freely and park their vehicles. The vendors have demanded throughout the week no vendors should be allowed to encroach upon the footpath.
Chief Officer Kedar Naik assured to look into their grievances within a week. Naik promised to inspect the site along with market inspector and vowed to take necessary action.
Speaking to media persons, association president Gharu Sawanth said the market vendors, who conducting business legally inside the market shed are losing their customers as people buy their goods from the footpath vendors.
He suggested that PMC should allow them inside market shed instead of allowing them to sell their goods on the footpath. Some female vegetable vendors have also encroached upon the pathway leading to the market. Recently, several vendors including outsiders had encroached upon the footpath thereby causing hardship to customers. It
He said, “We recently met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant complaining against the menace. The CO has assured to take action within a week.” He said after 5 pm, around 50 to 60 vendors encroach upon the footpath causing nuisance to customers.
Sawanth said vendors from Savoiverem, Verem, Querim, Nirankal, Bethora and nearby villages have been sitting by the roadside.
