Ground Zero : Unfair Markets - The Struggle for Space and Opportunities

Towns and villages across goa, have been dealing for a long time now with the same issue - lack of market space. In addition to space, off late there is another issue of locals having little to no ‘access’ to set up their businesses in the designated markets. In almost all the markets a similar complain resonates, outsiders or migrants are taking over the business spaces and the locals are being sidelined. If an individual has the capacity to rent out a shop and establish a business in the market, then that is the first choice. However, for those who can’t afford to pay the rents and are making a humble beginning with very little investments have had to take to opening up kiosks by the roadside or indulge in street vending. Those who are establishing businesses within the market spaces have been doing so by ensuring they have the support of their political masters, as no business can be presently established without having the unspoken ‘protective hand’ of local politicians. For decades now the local self-governing bodies have not been able to solve the problem of sub-letting of shops and establishments. Rent or lease agreements are pending for years and while those who had earlier signed the contracts pay a meagre amount, by sub-letting the space they earn high revenues. This double whammy of locals losing out on opportunities to do business and the revenue loss to the local body needs urgent attention from the political class at all levels, including the State government which will have to bring laws that ensure locals have the opportunity to establish businesses and greedy selfish people are not able to take advantage of the situation.