VASCO: The fruit and vegetable vendors on Tuesday met the Chief Officer and Mormugao Municipal Council officials demanding a solution to the encroachment issue.
The MMC Councillors maintained their stand that the vendors have been encroaching and vowed to take action against encroachments in the market.
Chairperson Kirtesh Naik Gaonkar after meeting the vendors decided to continue MMC’s drive against the encroachments. The Chairperson said, “This action against encroachment is not to vent any anger but is against the encroachments following complaints from people and police. We acted against the encroachments but the backlash is a result of illegalities coming to light due to the action”.
“We are going to remove the encroachments along the roads in the town,” Kritesh warned.
The vendors after meeting the Chief Officer and the Accounts and Taxation officer said that they have been advised to stay within the footpaths and added that the sale time limit has been set for some vendors.
“We were told that the police have informed that some people are selling vegetables on road in their four-wheelers. The police have to take action against them and issue challan to such people . We shouldn’t be troubled for someone else’s fault,” claimed a vendor.
“The vendors have extended their area by two metres outside their allotted shops. They have become very stubborn and every time we remove encroachments they are back to their old habits,” Councillor Daji Salkar alleged.
Kritesh said that it is better late than never and the action will continue.
Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes said, “Most traders at the fruit and vegetable market have no trade licences. Some have not renewed trade licences for last 4 years and some are running trade in four places”.
He said they will wait till January 15 for the vendors to renew their trade licences.
