TEAM HERALD
PORVORIM: The flower, jaggery and daily vendors in the flower market at Mapusa have requested Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) not to demolish the market, as it would affect their livelihood.
The MMC has, however, assured that all stakeholders would be taken into confidence before the construction of a new market.
In separate memorandums submitted by the flower, jaggery and daily vendors to MMC Chairperson Sandeep Falari, the vendors stated that they have been doing business and earning their livelihood for over 15 years.
“If we are displayed, we will be in trouble. The condition of the building is good and it can be repaired and painted,” stated the memorandums.
Speaking to Herald, Falari said the council unanimously took the decision to demolish the flower market. “The market is located centrally. There are 19 shops, ‘Banca Fixa’ (3) and ‘Cubiculus’ (23) inside the flower market, which are permanent establishments. MMC gets monthly rent of Rs 13,190 from these permanent establishments,” informed Falari.
Besides, there are daily vendors which include bread sellers (8), flower sellers (30) and tailors (10) and MMC gets about Rs 28,000 monthly from these daily vendors. On the periphery of the flower market, there are 11 kiosks, 16 stalls and one ‘Banca Fixa,’ from whom MMC gets monthly rent of Rs 13,455.
“Considering the size and location of the market, the revenue earned is peanuts and time has now come for the MMC to increase the revenue. Hence, MMC decided to demolish the existing flower market and construct a new multi-storey market so that MMC can earn more revenue,” said Falari.
“Some people have created fear in the minds of daily vendors, kiosks and stall owners outside the market that MMC will not allow them to do business in the proposed new market, which is not true,” assured Falari.
“MMC will accommodate all the existing permanent and daily vendors, including those on the periphery of the market. All the stakeholders will be taken into confidence before construction of the new market. The purpose of constructing a new market is to earn more revenue and provide good environment to the vendors,” he said.
