http://oheraldo.in/node/9149
Heaps of garbage greet Joaquim BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JAN 30 — Heaps of garbage, unhygienic environment and agitated vegetable and fish vendors greeted Urban Development Minister, Joaquim Alemao on his way to the SGPDA mega market on Monday morning even as he warned to auction stalls left unoccupied by vendors within a week's time. Alemao also instructed the PDA officials to provide electric connection to the vegetable shed after payment of power dues and issued directions to put the market in order. Alemao visited the PDA market in a bid to ascertain whether there are any stalls left in the market to accomodate Goan vegetable vendors displaced from the wholesale fish market. Taking serious note of the mounds of uncollected garbage and filth prevading the market, a visibly upset Alemao issued instructions to the Margao Municipal Chief Officer to clear the garbage forthwith and station a garbage van in the market. PDA Chairman, Shantaram Kadam, Member Secretary Diniz, DySP Tony Fernandes and MMC Chief Officer, Melvyn Vaz accompanied the Minister. Alemao told the vegetable market from the PDA market that there's no question of opening a new vegetable market at the wholesale fish market. When the Minister sought to know about the vacant stalls, the vendors said the stinking garbage close to the vegetable shed has made many a vendor to stay away from the market. "There ought to be no compromise on market hygiene. Clear garbage on a daily basis", Alemao told the Chief Officer, even as PDA Chairman Shantaram Kamat said the PDA is ready to pay the garbage fees to the Civic body. Alemao also told Kadam to provide installment facility for the vendors to clear their power bills. -- Salaam ali kum. Gabe Menezes. London, England
