Team Herald
MARGAO: A group of women vegetable vendors who travel from remote areas in Quepem and Canacona on a daily basis with their produce and squat outside shops located opposite the Margao Police Station were promised to be rehabilitated years ago in the town area, but that promise has not been kept.
These vendors who travel early in the morning to Margao, every single day of the year, come rain or sunshine, keep their produce on a mat that covers the footpath in front of these shops. However, the area on which they sit is unhygienic and there is waste scattered around and even ants crawling on the ground.
Incidentally, this area is behind the Old bus stand in Margao and it may be recalled that an inspection carried out by the Health Department had brought to light the cleanliness issues at this old bus stand area.
During the recent spell of heavy rains, these vegetable vendors only had their umbrellas to protect them but the water flowing alongside the road created problems for them as well as the strong winds.
“We have no choice but to sit here as this is how we earn our living and sustain our families. We were promised that we would be put in a market three years ago but that has not happened. If that happens, it has to be in a location where people visit us,” said one of the vendors from Morpilla, Quepem.
“We come from humble backgrounds and this is all we do. We don’t complain much or want to create an issue,” another vendor from Balli added, scared that they may face repercussions for voicing out their plea for minimal support.
The vendors are not asking for much and feel a basic shed would suffice given how they have been managing all this time.
While there has also been strong opposition against them and other vegetable vendors that operate on the footpaths from traders of the municipal markets, they point out that if they are not allowed to sell the vegetables that their family produces, they would have to starve as they depend solely on this small business for their livelihood.
