MARGAO: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Fatorda for the inauguration of the National Games has had an unexpected impact on vendors conducting business in the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) market. The vendors have collectively decided to suspend their operations for half a day on October 26, due to the visit.
This decision to suspend operations for a half day has particularly affected meat vendors, who are now facing unexpected losses. The situation sheds light on the difficulties faced by small businesses and vendors when major events or visits by high-profile figures disrupt their daily operations without adequate prior notice.
While there are no official orders mandating the closure of business, vendors at the SGPDA market told O Heraldo that they received a notice on Wednesday, regarding the closure of their businesses with police personnel requesting them to shut shop by noon on Thursday. This abrupt announcement has put many vendors, especially those dealing with perishable items, in a difficult position.
Felix Gonsalves, the President of the Retail Fish Vendors Association, confirmed that their members have collectively decided to halt their retail fish-selling activities. While this decision may not significantly impact fish vendors, as their activities are primarily conducted during the morning hours, the sudden notice of closure will still result in marginal losses.
One meat vendor pointed out the perishable nature of meat products and the lack of proper cold storage facilities makes it challenging to preserve their goods for the following day. “The authorities should have at least intimated us two days before so that we would have planned accordingly. Police officials felt their presence in the market this morning, requesting us to down our shutters after 12 pm on October 26, which is unfair,” said a meat vendor at the market.
