NT Reporter
Vasco
The administration on Friday began scrutinising and verifying claims for losses suffered by vendors in the Vasco Sunday Market fire, as authorities started assessing the claims to determine the financial assistance to be extended to affected traders.
Deputy Collector and SDM Mormugao Prataprao Gaunkar, who heads the scrutiny committee, carried out the verification process at the municipal premises along with Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) chief officer Siddhivinayak Naik and other officials. Representatives of the market association were also part of the committee.
“The South Goa Collector constituted an eight-member scrutiny committee, with the Deputy Collector as its chairman,” said Gaunkar.
The committee comprises the police inspector, the MMC chief officer and other officials, besides two representatives of the market association.
A special help desk set up on Thursday received 107 claims from affected vendors, including shop owners, tenants and those who had sublet shops.
“Claimants were asked to submit the relevant documents from Friday morning to facilitate verification,” said Gaunkar.
Several vendors had declared losses ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, depending on the nature of their businesses, which included garment, footwear and other shops. Municipal officials are cross-checking the claims against available market records to establish the nature of businesses operating from the affected premises.
“Some shop owners had sought additional time to arrange their documents and assured the authorities that they would submit them on Saturday,” said Gaunkar. Those who claimed that their documents had been destroyed in the fire were asked to provide photographs of their shops and businesses as supporting evidence.
The authorities have also distributed mandate forms to affected vendors to collect their personal particulars and bank account details. The total losses claimed so far are estimated at approximately Rs 14.74 crore. However, Gaunkar said the government would decide the final amount of financial assistance.
