VASCO: Retail fish vendors from Vasco fish market shed decided not to vacate the existing premises until the new Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) comes to power, on Tuesday.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the fish vendors with Fr Michael Fernandes on the issue of proposed modern fish market shed and vacating the existing fish market shed to allow the work of the proposed fish market project.
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During a meeting with Fr Fernandes, who is also an advocate, the fisherwomen decided they should get an assurance in writing from the MMC that the project will be completed within a year.
Another query was the funds of Fourteen Finance Commission which was transferred to the Goa State Urban Development Authority (GSUDA) by the MMC. It was discussed whether the council had obtained a written permission from the Commission to transfer these funds for building the fish market which was actually given to undertake developmental works in all 25 wards of the municipal area.
The fish vendors have decided not to vacate the fish market shed until the new municipal council is formed and comes to power, Vasco Fish Vendors Association Caridade Pereira informed media after the meeting.
“If we vacate the existing fish market shed by allowing construction of a new market to begin, we fear that the new municipal council may shelve the project and we will have nowhere to go,” said Pereira.
“Therefore we need written assurances from the council that the project will be completed within a year and further fish vendors are not willing to vacate shed until the new municipal council is formed and comes to power,” the fish vendors association president added.
Reiterating the points which Pereira mentioned, Fr Fernandes said that they need a written assurance from the new council (after the municipal election) that they will complete the proposed project.
“We also demand that the illegal selling of fish by the roadside be stopped immediately and also want two policemen to be deputed near the fish market shed to keep vigil on such illegalities which are happening in daylight,” added Fr Fernandes.
Nandadeep Raut, chairperson of MMC, however, had a different version to this issue. “All the formalities to be followed in undertaking the work of this modern fish market project have been completed. Someone is playing mischief and trying to create a misunderstanding among the people for his own political mileage,” claimed Raut in his statement.
He also revealed that as per Form-D the property belongs to MMC. Raut also mentioned that even if the existing council changes, the resolution taken by this council in the meeting will remain unchanged.
“All the 25 councillors have agreed on this project. This resolution was even sent to the Director of Municipal Administration who has granted his approval for the project. I feel there should not be any hurdle for this project. I feel some politicians are jealous regarding this project and that’s why efforts are being made to create obstructions, but this project will happen as desired by the fish vendors,” Raut added.
