CM Pramod Sawant disbursed the first instalment of assistance ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh to vendors whose stalls and shops were gutted in the Vasco market fire five days ago. He said all 145 affected units will receive compensation, including cases where one person owns more than one unit. Vendors have submitted compensation claims ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹10 lakh, with a few reporting losses exceeding ₹10 lakh. Sawant said the next instalment of government assistance will cover at least 50% of the assessed loss. Vendors claiming larger losses have been asked to obtain duplicate purchase bills wherever possible.
Temporary market at same site within a month
Responding to vendors’ suggestion, temporary structures will be set up at the same site within a month to enable them to resume business, said CM. Sawant also announced that the second instalment of compensation will be disbursed eight days before the temporary structures are inaugurated so that they can use the funds to set up their stalls again. He assured that the government will support the affected vendors until their businesses are fully re-established.
