PANJIM: A horde of vendors gathered outside the office of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) to purchase forms for the traditional fairs of Ashtami and Ganesh Chaturthi on Friday.
With bad memories still fresh on their minds of the chaos and confusion last year, a serpentine queue of vendors who had come from various parts of the state to collect forms was seen at the CCP office since early in the morning.
The week long Ashtami fair will commence from August 26 to September 6 as locals prepare for Ganesh Chaturti festivities.
However, some of the Goan vendors voiced their concerns, calling for a reduction in fees for sellers who are from the State.
Speaking to reporters, Nilesh Chari, a vendor who had come to collect forms, said, “ There is no system that Goans will be given preference when it comes to allotting stalls. There is nothing which says Goans will be treated separately. One person is allotted only one form.”
He also said that situation has not changed during the last one year in spite of authorities being aware of the fairs.
“Both, the procedure as well as the fee are the same as they were last year. We expected that there would be reduction in fees. Each vendor has to cough out Rs 26,000,” he said.
Chari said that for lighting, each vendor has to shell out Rs 100 which is an extra burden.
The annual fair is scheduled to take place from August 26 to September 6, 2024, at the Mandovi promenade, Campal Panjim.
