PONDA: Ponda vendors have accused the Karnataka vendors of eating into their business in the Ponda Market by selling large quantities of marigold and sugarcane required for Tulsi Vivah which was celebrated on Monday.
Ponda Budhwar Peth Market Vendors president Shankar Naik complained that the local vendors have been left with no business as large number of Karnataka vendors from Hubli and Dharwad have been directly coming to Ponda Market with their vehicles loaded with marigold and sugarcane. “They have been unloading and selling them in the market and this has affected our business on the occasion of Diwali”, he said and demanded that PMC should not encourage them and initiate action against such vendors as local vendors are struggling to sell marigold, sugarcane and other items. If Karnataka vendors come to Goa then where will Goans go to earn their livelihood?
Ponda vendors claimed that they have no business as Karnataka vendors have been eating into their business during festivals as few days ago they sold marigold flowers during Laxmi puja as well.
The local vendors have also accused their Karnataka counterparts of selling these items at wholesale and retail rates. Marigold and sugarcane are essential for Tulsi Vivah which was celebrated by Goans on Monday.
PMC officials claimed they cannot discriminate local and migrant vendors as they are citizens of India.
