The vendors selling Matoli items for Ganesh Chaturthi have expressed anger over confusion in allotment of spaces in the Mapusa municipal market and taxi stand.
the goan I network
MAPUSA
Earlier, the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) in its meeting had opted to keep the decision to shift the Matoli market to Mapusa taxi-stand in abeyance and allow the vendors to sell their stuff in the municipal market as was being done all these years.
According to sources, a large number of vendors selling Matoli items occupied the place in Mapusa municipal market but lack of space at the taxi stand created confusion among the MMC officials over shifting of the vendors.
Sources said the MMC officials have reportedly told the vendors to suspend their business till appropriate solution is taken. MMC Chairperson Rohan Kavlekar, MMC Chief Officer Clen Madeira and MMC staff inspected the market.
Later, the MMC staff directed the Matoli vendors to clear the roads and market area till final decision is taken by the MMC. The Matoli vendors have expressed anger over the confusion.
On Tuesday, the market inspector prepared a report stating that all the Matoli vendors cannot be shifted to the taxi stand due to lack of space and the proposed KTC bus stand is not suitable for the vendors for carrying out their trade as the area has become muddy.
Sources from MMC said on Monday and Tuesday, many Matoli vendors thronged Mapusa market and the number could increase on Wednesday and Thursday. "The Matoli vendors sit in 600 sq mtrs of land in the market and it is impossible to shift them to 200 sq mtrs of land at taxi stand," the source added.
Kavlekar said no Matoli vendors would be asked to leave the Mapusa market.
"In order to avoid confusion, some vendors will be allowed to sit in the market, while some will be shifted to Mapusa taxi stand, but no one will be allowed to sit alongside the roads. As the taxi stand will be occupied by the Matoli vendors, private vehicles will be asked to make use of the proposed bus stand," he added.
