VASCO: With barely two days remaining for the famous Vasco Saptah, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) is yet to decide on the duration of the Saptah fair.
Speaking to Herald, MMC Chief Officer Megnath Porob said the council is yet to decide whether to hold the Saptah fair for seven or 10 days.
“The High Court has directed South Goa Collector Venancio Furtado to file a report on July 31 regarding the number of days allotted to the fair. Based on the report, MMC will implement the duration, as suggested by Furtado,” he said.
In its order, the High Court had directed Furtado to file a report with the concerned petitioner’s objections as expeditiously before July 31.
During the hearing of PIL filed by Dr Lawande and others on July 24, the High Court directed the South Goa Collector to hear MMC as well as the representation of the petitioners on relevant issues regarding the number of days of fair and the roads which are to be kept closed and provides access for emergency services like ambulances and fire tenders. On July 14, Porob had filed an application with the South Goa Collector for the closure of Padre Jose Vaz and Swatantra Path road to erect the stalls and to make arrangement for mobile toilets, police camp office and watch towers. As there was a PIL filed against the Saptah fair, the matter was referred to the High Court. It may be recalled that last year Dr Shantaram M Lawande and six others had filed PIL in the HC complaining about the blocked roads due to the Saptah fair.
