Vendors upset as Chicalim p’yat removes pandal

Vasco: Tension ran high at Chicalim on Thursday after the panchayat dismantled a pandal near Chicalim junction which was used by women self-help groups to sell Diwali fare.
Vendors, who were part of the Diwali Bazaar, told TOI, “We set up a pandal every year for Diwali to sell sweets and other homemade products, supported by the department of rural development. Previously, we have not been asked for any permission by the Chicalim village panchayat.”
“The government speaks about Swayampurna Goem on one hand but is unfair to women who want to venture into business making them self-sustainable,” said a vendor. Former sarpanch Sebastiao Pereira said, “I want to question chief minister if this is Swayampurna Goem.”