Daijiworld Media Network - Vasco

Vasco, Nov 1: Mormugao Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pratap Gaonkar, who heads the scrutiny committee assessing compensation claims following the devastating fire at Modern Market, has completed hearings for 150 affected vendors.

The committee has received a total of 160 applications, submitted either at the help desk or directly to the panel.

“The remaining 10 applicants did not appear for Saturday’s hearing, though their forms were submitted,” Gaonkar told TOI. He said their names could still be included in the final list, as they may not have received messages about the hearings on the mobile numbers provided in their claim forms.

Gaonkar said the committee was considering compensation claims averaging around Rs 5 lakh per vendor, though the amount had not yet been finalised.

Vendors who attended the hearings submitted supporting documents, including purchase receipts for stock and materials, as well as photographs of their shops and stalls destroyed in the blaze.

Meanwhile, South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus visited the Mormugao Municipal Council building on Saturday and directed the committee to categorise the gutted shops.

Following her instructions, the committee will inspect 20 shops at the Modern Market complex on Sunday or Monday.