Daijiworld Media Network - Ponda

Ponda, Oct 24: Cloth vendors at the Ponda market, who had been waiting for Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s final decision on a rent concession, have now agreed to move to their allotted shops by the weekend after facing electricity disconnection for the past three days.

The vendors had earlier decided to shift only after rent negotiations were finalised. However, the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) disconnected power to their temporary stalls on Tuesday — right in the middle of Diwali celebrations — forcing them to perform Laxmi Puja by torchlight.

Strongly criticising the timing of the move, vendor leader Gharu Sawant alleged that the PMC was using “pressure tactics” to force compliance. “Disconnecting power on such an auspicious occasion was unjustified,” he said.

The dispute dates back to repeated attempts by the PMC to vacate the vendors from the fish market building, citing the structure’s weakening condition as a safety hazard. On two previous occasions, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had intervened and put the 72-hour eviction notice on hold.

With power supply cut off and festive business disrupted, the vendors have now decided to relocate, even as they await the government’s final word on rent concessions.