VERNA: A group of Verna locals, led by one Francis D’Mello alias Franky, protested outside the Verna Fish Market tinto over the dilapidated condition of the tinto.
“Last year, the local MLA and the sarpanch had installed a foundation stone for ‘Upgradation of Existing Fish Market of Verna on the occasion of the birthday of the Sarpanch which was on Oct. 7. One year is complete but still nothing has happened. No work has started and the fisherwomen are suffering because of this”, Franky informed.
He pointed out that the drain in front of the present tinto has not been cleaned and that the weeds growing around have not been removed. “Even when we raise this issue in the gram sabha, the panchayat body doesn’t listen to us,” alleged Franky.
The fisherwomen stated that the foundation was laid last year but ‘our Tinto is not coming up’.
“Our priest had asked them last year if they will really be able to construct the tinto. That time they had said yes,” said a fisherwoman. “This (present) tinto doesn’t have anything. We have to put up coconut leaves to protect us from the rain. We don’t even have light here.” said one Maria Gama.
The fisherwomen said that since fish is being sold at Cansaulim, ‘no one is coming to our fish market.’ “We hardly sell Rs 400 worth of fish a day. On some days we get just Rs 100. In the evening, there is no light here so nobody comes,” said another fisherwoman.
The people demanded that the tinto be constructed as soon as possible. “If a market was built, the people who are standing along the highway can come here to sell the fish and everyone would benefit”, said Franky.
