Eviction of fish vendors The eviction of a few fish vendors is the bone of contention and rigidity with MMC in Salcette. We have not heard about their numbersThe ostensible reason is not sanitation , because the whole sale fish market or for that matter the new market do not meet any such standards of cleanliness. In fact they stink with garbage thrown around the surroundings. Perhaps MMC thinks that they are the main source of congestion faced by the City. By extending this argument further, those cobblers around the Municipality are privileged people, who occupy prime passages, where as the shopkeepers using passages are fined with confiscation of goods. The traditional fisher folks have been displaced from their age old spot, by allowing constructions violating building rules, no parking facilities. How did they get occupation certificates? Some alternative should have been in place to carry on their profession.The squatters in the narrow passage opposite Marliz cause obstruction ,yet they are not considered for action. Those that occupy the garden footpaths near police station,and old fish market, crowding near pimpalkatta even the parapets meant for sitting are used to display goods and carry on their trade unhindered..All sorts of moving sales people of vegetable. fruits and other goods around bus stands, on roads are not considered nuisance. In fact the Municipality collects regular revenue from them , thus legitimizing their trade and right to it.I am not aware of any citizens or NGO`making a specific grievance against traditional , local, retail fish sellers The ones to congratulate the Mayor are the fish vendors from new market, feeling a pinch in their sales. On the contrary it is convenient for the people visiting the city, If there is a specified , reserved market area ,then none should be permitted to sale any wares on the streets and outside the shops, The gaddas are also a positive nuisance and those near State Bank should have been shifted for smooth movement of people and vehicular traffic, The shifting of petrol pumps is resisted over the years, but the Municipality will have nothing to do with it to and does not consider as causing congestion. The roads are narrowed in the city due to parking. Roads are not meant for parking, specially the main arteries , through which the traffic flows, particularly during peak hours It is seen that widening of road at Navelim is a convenient place for parking, making mockery of 4 lanes. There are at least a few places are available and proposed, which could have been utilised to build parking lots and thus de congest the roads The selective tirade against fish vendors in and around Margao City appears to be motivated with vengeance and not sound equitable justice in comparison to others , who ply their trade similarly Then again the Municipality, wantonly permits constructions right in the heart of the city without parking arrangement and necessary set backs and its effect on free movement The increase vehicular traffic, population, schools., banks, service centres and offices add to congestionThe Municipality has flouted the High Court directive with impunity, not to allow fairs on the streets and footpaths.The drive should be against all traders on street, gardens, passages , inside the buses, if that is what causes congestion Nelson Lopes Chinchinim ** <https://www.facebook.com/shares/view?id=396128047116140>
