MAPUSA: Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC), on Thursday, decided not to allow any vendors at the main entrance of the municipal market here, except during festivals that too for sale of lottery tickets only.
Following a discussion in the presence of Urban Development Minister Francis D’Souza, it was decided to shift lottery vendors to other gates by marking slots so that they do not create any obstacles for movement of the people.
On Thursday, a delegation of lottery vendors met D’Souza at Mapusa municipality in the presence of civic chairperson Rohan Kavlekar, chief officer Clen Madeira, municipal engineer I Hussain Shah Mujzar and Sanjay Mishal, chairman of market committee and urged him to allow them to continue to conduct business at the entrance of the market.
During a drive against encroachments, all vendors, who were operating at the entrance of the municipal market including the lottery sellers, readymade garment vendors, raincoat/umbrella sellers and others, all around 28 of them, were removed from the market entrance.
Chief officer Madeira informed the delegation that “they will not be allowed to sit at the entrance of the market as it is in violation of the High Court order.”
Sanjay Mishal said that “moreover these lottery vendors have changed their business as besides lottery they also sell other items.”
One of the vendors stated that “just by selling lottery they are not earning anything, hence, they have started selling other items and after GST is implemented things will become worse.”
After consulting officials, chairperson Rohan Kavlekar informed the vendors that “only during festivals lottery vendors will be allowed at the entrance and on other days they will be at other two entrances where markings will be done within which these vendors will have to operate.”
It was also decided to cross-check the number of vendors sitting at the entrance. As per municipal records, only 16 were originally operating of which seven of them were given stalls and, hence, it was decided to verify the original vendors and, accordingly, accommodate them in the market.
While interacting with mediapersons, minister D’Souza said that “the chief officer has to take stringent action against shopkeepers and vendors who are not following instructions.”
When media asked why daily vendors are being targeted and not shopkeepers to that extent, chief officer Clen Madeira said that “I will see that the shopkeepers also fall in line as high court has directed that footpaths and access roads should be free of obstruction.”
In the evening, an inspection was carried out at the entrance of the market and slot measurements were done.
