VASCO: Despite there being rules in place by the Mormugao Municipal Council regarding encroachments, the vegetable and fruit vendors continue to place their cartons filled with goods in front of their respective kiosks and on the road in the Vasco market, thus occupying space meant for walking.
This happens even though the market is located at a stone’s throw distance from the MMC building, locals pointed out that the vendors seem to have no fear for the authorities.
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The issue locals have is that the vendors have not only encroached this road, but also on the other side of the market, the footpath has been encroached by another set of vendors.
Locals feel that the situation has reached a stage where there is hardly any space for consumers to walk on.
When contacted, the newly-appointed Chief Officer, Santosh Kundaikar, said he has been appointed on Zilla Panchayat Election duty as well and that he will soon look into this issue.
Preetam Naik, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) youth leader, alleged that the vendors enjoy political blessings from councillors and that is why no action is being taken against the errant vendors.
“If MMC inspectors act tough on violators then these vendors won’t dare to do any illegalities but sadly no strict action is being seen except some inspection, which is just an eyewash for the people,” Naik added.
Vasco-based activist Vikram Sarmalkar also questioned how this is continuing to happen even though there are so many municipal inspectors and there have been so many inspections by councillors.
Sarmalkar also suggested increasing the fines to as high as Rs 10,000 to set a precedent and get the vendors to fall in line and respect the law.
Surendra Madkaikar, former journalist from Vasco blamed the local law enforcing authority for its failure to implement the rules and regulations in its real spirit. He concurred with the view of councillors backing the vendors and called on the Chief Officer to take strict action against the violators.
