PONDA: The Ponda Market Vendors who had welcomed the demolition of eight illegal stalls were surprised to see that the stalls which were demolished by Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) two days ago were reinstalled on Monday at the same place.
It may be recalled that on September 30, PMC demolished eight stalls in a row at Upper Bazaar, Shantinagar area. These stalls were erected two years ago after the Covid-19 pandemic and Amchi Vyapari Sangatana (AVS) – vendors association – who had complained against the illegality had welcomed the demolition by the PMC.
Gharu Sawant, President of AVS said “We were surprised to see that the demolished stalls were reinstalled. We met the Chief Officer of PMC and brought to his notice that stalls have been reinstalled.”
He further said that the vendors will take up the issue again after the Diwali celebration.
Chief Officer Yogiraj Gosavi said that based on the complaint of AVS, the PMC had demolished the stalls. “If vendors file a fresh complaint, the PMC will take action again,” he added.
He further informed that when the PMC had demolished these stalls, it had also offered to rehabilitate them to conduct their business in vacant spaces in the municipal market.
However, according to Sawant, the stalls were learnt to be operated since the Covid-19 pandemic by the roadside on private property, however, they were eating away the business of vendors in the Ponda market shed. “Some politicians are supporting these vendors, but we will fight back against these illegal stalls,” he added.
