PONDA: Defying the Ponda Municipal Council order, the fish vendors on Tuesday began their business after three months under repairs of the fish market complex. People rushed to the market to buy fish without maintaining social distancing and other norms.
As the fish vendors began their business in the under repairs fish market complex defying the council order, a rush of customers was witnessed totally violating social distancing norm which created fear among locals about the spread of COVID infection.
When Herald asked PMC Chairperson Venkatesh Naik whether there is politics behind the move of fish vendors for not following the council’s order, he said, “There is politics behind it. The Chief Officer would be held responsible for the vendors doing business in fish market by defying the Council order. Since the first case was found of fish vendor at Vasco, the PMC had closed the market for business as it is small and social distancing norm cannot be maintained.”
PMC Chairperson said “Ponda Market is going through repairs as per Council resolution on May 11 and since then the fish market was closed for business considering social distancing during lockdown. Repairs were progressing but there seems politics being played but ready to face any situation causing nothing to disturb”.
When asked to some fish vendors about why they are defying PMC order to conduct business from basement of Market Complex, one of them said, “The basement is meant for parking of vehicles and so we are not ready for it. Further if we conduct business over there then the waste water would spread all over and cause nuisance to customers”.
Some vendors said Chief Officer Kedar Naik directed them to sit in Fish Market and that it would be repaired within a week. When contacted CO about his comment, he refused to speak on the issue.
