PANAJI: Even a month after 37 food kiosks operators were awaiting decision of the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) to relocate them.
On January 7, the CCP cracked down on 23 food kiosks at Miramar and removed 14 food kiosks from near the Don Bosco High School due to various reasons including unhygienic conditions and failing to adhere to food safety norms.
The CCP however allowed only seven kiosks operators at Miramar and another three kiosks selling cold drinks at Dona Bosco High school.
When contacted, CCP Mayor Uday Madkaikar said that the Corporation was yet to relocate them and a decision on the same would taken during the special meeting to be convened soon. He said that the Don Bosco school principal and residents were strongly opposed to the kiosks operating near the school as it was creating nuisance as food waste was found dumped in the drain resulting in foul smell.
"We will soon convene a special meeting to relocate them," Madkaikar said.
On the other hand when contacted, ward corporator Soraya Pinto Makhija said that the CCP shifted these food carts to the Don Bosco square in May 2018 without taking her into confidence. This decision was not brought before the CCP council nor was there a CCP resolution to that effect. Don Bosco square was not meant to be a hawkers zone, she said.
Soraya who represents ward 11 further stated that she carried out a development-cum-beautification project near the Don Bosco school side gate and the revamped Don Bosco square was inaugurated in March 2018.
"After the CCP shifted the food carts to the Don Bosco Square in May 2018 without taking me into confidence, I received complaints letters from the Don Bosco school authorities, its PTA, and residents of the Panaji market residential area that the food carts are a nuisance. Garbage is strewn all over making the area dirty and unhygienic, and the noise till late hours is disturbing," Soraya said.
She further said that she had raised this issue at several CCP meetings and Mayor Uday Madkaikar and Commissioner Sanjit Rodrigues had assured her that all the food carts would be shifted out of Don Bosco square.