MARGAO: Vegetable and fish vendors at the wholesale fish market, along with the Fatorda Congress block, gheraoed SGPDA chairman Mauvin Godinho with the demand that they be allowed to continue business at the same place.
However, Godinho has stated that he cannot allow them to do business at the market presently, and that the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) will hold a meeting in January to take a decision on whether to allow or disallow will be taken with the consent of all stakeholders.
The small retailers who previously used to sell fish and vegetables in and outside the market have demanded that they be allowed to do business at the same place. They claimed that after they were stopped from selling at that place, they have been going through a bad time due to losses.
While explaining his position to the sellers, Godinho claimed that a High Court order was preventing retail sale at the wholesale markets and that he could not violate the same.
While speaking to the aggrieved vegetable sellers, Godinho explained that he cannot permit vegetable sale at the wholesale fish market. However, he added that the SGPDA meeting will propose a shade for the vegetable vendors, and he urged them to convey their views to him by December-end.
Later, addressing the Press, he explained that the retailers from the SGPDA market had complained about the retail trade at the wholesale market, and based on that complaint action had been taken.
Fatorda Congress members like former councillor Piedade Noronha, Joseph Silva and activist Camilo Barreto were part of the protest.
