City central fish market vendors use toilets as godowns

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Apr 06, 2017: While government is keen on having more toilets for the benefit of the people under Swacch Bharat Abhiyan,  some traders at Central Fish Market here have converted toilets into a godown.

 

Following complaints, Mayor Kavita Sanil led a team of officials who inspected the market on April 5, Wednesday and found that the toilets in the first and second floors of the market complex had been converted into a godown. A trader dealing with glass and other items on the first floor had occupied the toilet space adjacent to the shop, while an egg vendor on the ground floor had occupied the toilet in the second floor using it as a warehouse. The toilet on the ground floor was intact.

Surprisingly, when the mayor was speaking to the vendor on the first floor, he appeared unnerved and also produced a sheet of paper claiming that he had obtained permission. However, it was only after taking a closer look at the paper, it showed to be a memorandum copy submitted to the Corporation authorities in the past, seeking permission in this regard. However, no permission had been given, as there was no provision to let toilet space against the purpose.

Speaking to media the mayor said the commissioner has been directed to initiate action against the guilty vendors, while the assistant engineer concerned has been told to take up work on repairing the toilets for the benefit of the people.

MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer said, "The matter came to light following a complaint to the Revenue Department in this regard a week ago."

According to Revenue Officer Praveen Kumar, who holds the additional charge of deputy commissioner (Revenue), a total of 91 shops form the market, with one toilet built on each of the three floors including ground floor.

Another officer, on condition of anonymity, said that as soon as the matter came to light a week ago, the errant traders were instructed to vacate the goods from the toilet. However, they did not heed the instruction.