New Delhi: The Supreme Court has granted displaced meat vendors in Panjim, Goa, temporary allotment of fixed spots in the southeastern part of a fish market after the demolition of a building where they had operated as lessees for over 30 years.
The demolition was carried out by the City Corporation of Panaji (CCP) due to the building’s dangerous and dilapidated condition.
A bench comprising Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice SC Sharma was hearing an appeal challenging a Bombay High Court order directing CCP to construct and maintain public markets and slaughterhouses while regulating them during the interim period in the public interest.
The CCP contended that the High Court’s direction exceeded its statutory mandate under Section 59 of the City of Panaji Corporation Act, 2002. Notably, Section 59(1)(o) requires the CCP to take necessary measures for the “construction and maintenance of public markets and slaughterhouses and the regulation of all markets and slaughterhouses.”
During the hearing, the CCP informed the Court that it had passed a resolution on January 24 agreeing to provide fixed spots to six meat vendors in the southeastern section of the temporary fish market.
The vendors’ counsel sought additional permission to install fridges, mincers, and mincing machines with provisions for electricity and water. They also requested that the allotted area be enclosed and secured. The Court allowed these requests while clarifying that the allotment would be strictly temporary.
The Court declined to address issues raised by non-meat vendors, advising them to file civil suits if they wished to enforce their lease rights.
The meat vendors were represented by Senior Advocate Atmaram NS Nadkarni and advocates Rohit Braz D’sa and S.S. Rebello. Senior Advocate Ranjit Kumar appeared on behalf of the CCP.
