MARGAO: Retail fish market of South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) which reopened on Wednesday evoked a poor response from fish consumers.
It was surprising that only 20 per cent fish traders conducted business while the remaining counters were vacant.
A visit to the market on Wednesday morning revealed that most traders were not aware of SGPDA’s decision to reopen the market. Besides, poor public response left the fish traders unhappy.
SGPDA’s chairman and MLA Wilfred D’Sa allowed the fish traders to open the retail market following the request. However, the plea of wholesale fish traders was rejected.
“Yes, maximum fish traders remained absent on the first day of reopening of the retail fish market. Later they closed down following an order from the government. Many traders are unaware of the decision to reopen the market “, said Rafiq, a fish seller.
He said the market reopening evoked a very poor response from the fish consumers. “Maybe people too are not aware of the market re-opening “, he said.
Another fish trader said the SGPDA market fish traders have been badly affected due to the curfew. “We hope that at least from tomorrow sales will pick up in the retail fish market”, she added.
She said, “With no business for the past several days, the market reopening is a relief for us.”
A Few police personnel attached to Fatorda Police Station were maintaining vigil on the movement of people and also on fish traders with regards to COVID safety norms.
Meanwhile, sources informed that the wholesale fish traders are upset with the SGPDA for not allowing them to carry out their business at the wholesale fish market at Madel.
The delegation of the traders is likely to meet the SGPDA in the coming days with their plea to allow them to carry out their business in the wholesale fish market.
“Why only Margao wholesale fish market is not allowed to open? All the fish markets across the State are permitted to sell fish. We don’t understand the reason behind this”, Ibrahim Moulana, president of Wholesale Fish Traders’ Association said.
