Chaos broke out at the SGPDA wholesale fish market on Tuesday as SGPDA officials moved in to clear fish and other vendors who illegally trade at the market. Problems began as SGPDA officials failed to identify and differentiate between wholesale and retail vendors doing business at the market. The Margao Police and Municipality also assisted the SGPDA in the combing operation.
Goan fisherwomen have demanded action against non-Goans indulging in fish sale at the wholesale market. The Goan fisherwomen said that they were doing their business at the wholesale complex for the last twelve years and have informed that they have been regularly paying Sopo to the contractor and have given receipts for the payment collected.
The MLA of Fatorda, Vijai Sardessai has meanwhile said that vegetable vendors at the wholesale fish market have requested that they be allowed to sell at the place till Christmas as they have already grown vegetables. “They have asked us to give us time till the wall is built and later we will have to shift them somewhere else. How and where to shift them will be a question of discussion which I will hold with the Chairman and take necessary steps,” Vijai said. He has also pressed on the need to protect the interests of the local vegetable growers and sellers.
SGPDA official, Paul Gomes informed that the SGPDA intends to maintain and renovate the complex, hence, the action against illegal activity has been initiated. This action will be continual and the drive to keep retail business and illegal activities at bay will be carried out regularly.
The local residents of Maddel have been persistently demanding that the SGPDA authorities maintain the market complex as they have been facing a stink and nuisance for the last thirteen years.
It may be recalled that for the past one week, the SGPDA had been asking vendors to clear the area because from December 1, only fish would be allowed at the wholesale complex and sale of fruits, vegetables and other items won’t be permitted.
Fearing action, most of the fruit and vegetable vendors were not seen and those who had ventured inside, fled the area noticing the police force.
Gomes was caught in a tight situation because neither the wholesale fish market Sopo contractor, nor the SGPDA official could identify Goan fisherwomen carrying out retail or wholesale sale of fish.
While the clearing of drains have been a sore issue has been neglected over the years, the waste water and garbage finds its way to the drains and water bodies near the market, thus only worsening the situation. Recently, SGPDA Chairman, Mauvin Godinho informed that the wall for the market area will be built soon and lighting fixtures will be repaired. However, on the issue of water supply that is required to maintain cleanliness of the market, the chairman put the buck on the PWD for failing to clear the matter. There have been repeated demands made to the authorities, including the district collector for better maintenance of the wholesale fish market on a daily basis, effective waste disposal through waste treatment plant, stopping the burning of thermacol at night, provision of proper drainage systems in the market and maintenance of clean and hygienic surroundings at the wholesale fish
market.
