Team Herald
MARGAO: The fairs in Goa which used to be organised by the local body and which had involved local Goan artisans, village clubs and traders have slowly evolved into ones run by contractors who operate in a partnership or on behalf of certain Panchayat members. One of the side effects of this system is that Goans, particularly Goan self-help groups, find no place in these fairs and the fairs have become a nuisance for the people living in the area.
In the recent case of Navelim fair, the locals of Navelim had objected to the fair near the cemetery on the open ground belonging to Francis Luis Gomes Trust. However, ignoring the wishes of the people, the fair has sprung up on Tuesday. Herald visited the site to investigate the issue and find out who the contractor is and whether he was granted the NOC from the landowner and the Panchayat. The stall owners informed that the Contractor’s name is Babush and gave his number.
Babush informed that the owner has given them the NOC and even the Panchayat has given him the NOC.
He said that the Contractor is his friend named Saddiq but refused to give Saddiq’s contact number.
Herald asked Babush how can Goans, particularly Goan self-help groups, apply for the stall but Babush did not answer. He said that he doesn’t go to count how many Goans are running stalls in the fair. Sources informed Babush is an alias for one of the Panchayat member
All the stall owners which Herald inquired with had no registered business in Goa. According to the recent gazetted notification by Commercial Taxes, all the stalls operated by non-Goans have to display their GST number and the Panchayat has to mention this on their payment receipts. The Navelim Panchayat did not enforce this rule. The Sarpanch said that the Panchayat did not receive any notification. In his defence, Babush said that this rule was not followed at other places.
The Sarpanch of the Panchayat said that the Panchayat has given a NOC but on a different property. However, the stalls are erected on property owned by Francis Luis Gomes Trust without obtaining a NOC from them. The Sarpanch also stated that they have confirmed that every stall has to take required applicable permission such as FDA licence. However, she said that the contractor has to enforce the rules.
While the Sarpanch claimed that the fair has to be erected only in the property for which NOC has been granted, several stalls have been erected along the cemetery road and in front of Sulabh ground. The stall owners informed that the contractor collects money from them.
Interestingly, in contrast to the fair erected by Saddiq and Babush, another fair which also includes a giant wheel is being erected by one Kadar behind the church which falls under the jurisdiction of Margao. Kadar informed that he has taken permission from the municipality, health and fire department.
The Jury is still out on which the two fairs in Navelim will appeal to the visitors from Wednesday onwards.
