In memo, Federation also calls for ban on resale of fish at market, surrounding areas
MARGAO
Reminding the SGPDA that the wholesale fish market was developed for the benefit of Goan fishermen to market their fish, local fishing stakeholders including traditional fishermen and mechanised boat owners under the banner of South Goa Fishermen Federation of Wholesale Fish Market has urged the PDA to protect the rights and interest of the fishing community of Goa.
In a joint memorandum submitted to the SGPDA, the Federation has urged the authority administrators to follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for Vocal for Local, reminding that the states of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, etc accord preference to the local fishermen and their catch in the market.
Submitting a list of demands to the SGPDA for consideration, the Federation has called for a stop and a ban on resale of fish at the SGPDA market and surrounding areas.
The PDA has been urged to make available the construction plan of the SGPDA market which is under construction and hold a presentation and explanation for the benefit of the fishermen on priority.
The Federation has called for installation and repairs of illumination at the SGPDA market and surrounding area.
The PDA has been urged to remove the Parked/ Abandoned/ Non-Operative vehicles in the vicinity of the SGPDA market, especially on the opposite road side of the SGPDA market so that the space can be made available for parking of vehicles of the buyers / takers of the fish.
“There shall be an entry point and exit point through which the movement of the vehicles must be strictly monitored. It has been observed that some persons are charging/ collecting fees in the name of ground/ area charges. A proper legal action may be initiated against such culprits,” the memorandum demanded.
Given that the SGPDA had introduced payment of sopo fees on hourly basis, the Federation has called for collection of sopo fees per vehicle basis instead of time taken. That’s not all. A suggestion has been made that the fees/ sopo may be collected either at the entry point or at the exit point. A further suggestion has been made that no person or representative of the contractor shall be allowed to collect the fees /sopo inside the market.
Demanding that vehicles of outside/ traders should not be allowed to park in the SGPDA market or in the vicinity of the SGPDA market, the memorandum demanded that local vehicles shall be given preference to enter inside the SGPDA market on first come first basis.
While calling for the upkeep and maintenance of the market on a daily basis by cleaning/ clearing the ground as well as the drains, the memorandum further urged the PDA to install CCTV for smooth functioning, proper management and collection of revenue.
The Federation has further urged the PDA to bring the areas outside the wholesale fish market, including the parking space adjacent to the road under the control of the SGPDA from the Municipality in order to ensure smooth functioning till the completion of the wholesale fish market.
Sources informed that the SGPDA is expected to call the local fishing stakeholders for discussions post-Ganesh festivities, probably next week to work out a solution to the issues plaguing the wholesale fish market.
