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Small business owners in Fatorda stare at losses as cops ask them to shut shop in view of PM Modi’s Oct 26 visit
While DySP clarifies that the shutdown will be only for ‘certain hours’, local traders claim the process has already begun three days prior to the PM’s visit, which will impact their businesses
Team Herald
MARGAO: Hardships caused to common people due to VIP visits have touched a new high as the small shops and businesses operating on the route of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Goa for the 37th National Games inauguration have been asked to close down, citing security reasons.
However, several shop owners are livid with this decision and have demanded compensation for their losses.
Small business owners, whose livelihood depends on the daily spending of their regular customers, further claimed that closure of the shops will severely impact their daily earnings.
Interestingly, South Goa Collectorate sources informed that no decision has been taken to close the shops and business.
But, Margao DySP Santosh Desai told OHeraldo that following the directions of the Collector’s Office, the police requested the shop owners and businessmen to close their shops during the PM‘s visit to Fatorda.
“All the shops and establishments on the route of Kadamba transport bus stand, old market, Ravindra Bhavan, Margao and all the shops in and around the Fatorda stadium will be closed as a security measure,” he informed.
With the DySP clarifying that the shutdown will be only for “certain hours”, the local traders claimed that the process has already begun three days prior to the PM’s visit, which is going to have a severe impact on their businesses.
Even shops within the KTC bus stand areas were compelled to close without any formal notice, but with only oral instructions from local police.
Additionally, inter-State tourist buses heading to Margao’s KTC bus stand have been diverted. They will only stop in Panjim.
Criticising the move, the residents of Margao and Fatorda pointed out that the shopkeepers will suffer financially for four consecutive days.
Questions were raised on whether the government should have a consistent policy in place to compensate these businessmen for the losses they incur during similar high-profile events.
Some affected shopkeepers held discussions with high-ranking police officials at the South Goa police headquarters. During this meeting, they expressed their grievances and demanded a solution, while the police emphasised the security requirements associated with the PM’s visit as the reason for these measures.
“Yes, it will affect my business, but with no other option, I will be forced to shut down my shop,” said Agnelo Fernandes, a shop owner from Fatorda.
Dr Mukul Pai Raiturkar said that the common man must not suffer because of VVIP visits.
“The duty of the government is to keep the common man free. It has to be more thoughtful before taking decisions like asking the shopkeepers to close down their businesses due to the VVIP movement,” he added.
Social activist Sanjeev Raiturkar said that creating hardship for the general public due to the PM’s visit is unfair.
“This is a perfect example of how the government is creating hardship for the public, especially small shop owners and businesses,” he said.
Prashant Naik, President of Margao Gadda Traders’ Association expressed anger over the request from the authorities in view of the PM’s visit to shut operations for four consecutive days.
“This is total injustice towards the gadda traders. Shutting down business for one day can be understood. But not for three-four days is too much,” he added.
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