Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA: With the state government announced curfew still in place, the otherwise hustle and bustle of the commercial activities in the town of Chaudi has been shifted to the periphery of the town since last many weeks.
With residents of Canacona taluka heeding the advice both from the health authorities as well as government on social distancing norms and closure of the nonessential items in the Chaudi town the vendors have started selling their ware from all of the entry points to the town.
Buyers not only get what they want from these vendors but they buy keeping social distance as the rush gets distributed.
Since last few months the enterprising vendors who are mostly migrant are seen selling almost everything that is required during monsoon season.
These migrants are seen displaying and selling plastic sheets, nylon ropes, shade nets, raincoats, umbrellas albeit any brand.
In spite of high rates and poor quality locals find it easy to buy locals feel.
They are seen occupying every inch of available space at the entry points of the commercial town of Chaudi.
They squat at Char Rasta, Sheller and Ponsulem which are the entry points to Chaudi, Chaudi has more than two hundred shops selling different things but government restricting the timings of these shops, locals find these vendors convenient to buy any time any where locals say.
As the Chaudi fish market lay closed the fish vendors are also seen squatting on Ponsulem road, Char Rasta and Sheller and are seen doing brisk business.
The fish market as it is lying in dilapidated conditions and the fish selling women find the road side a better place till the weather remains dry, they have to run for shelter if it rains informed one fish selling woman at Chaudi.
Vegetables and fruits vendors are also finding these locations much easy and are seen selling all types of vegetables and fruits from these places.
All these has however left the local shopkeepers fuming as these roadside vendors eat into their sales.
A shopkeepers speaking to Goenkarponn said that they pay all types of taxes to the authorities, pay electricity bills, shop rents and struggle to make ends meet while the authorities allow such vendors who don’t have any overheads.
“Weights and Measures office is at stones throw from Char Rasta where this vendors sell packages without any MRP, sellers name etc, can’t understand why they are not taking any action, while in other areas the authorities seize such items he it is as if no rules are applicable he complained.
