Surat fish market named after PM Modi sparks row; civic body says approval pending | Surat News
SURAT: A controversy has erupted over the naming of a newly built wholesale fish market in Surat after a section of traders objected to a board carrying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s name, while the civic body clarified that the official naming process is yet to be completed.A large hoarding reading “Shree Narendra Modi Wholesale Fish Market”, along with a photograph of the prime minister, was installed at the entrance of the market at Lakkadkot in Nanpura. The facility has been constructed by the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC).Some traders opposed the naming, with fish trader Surendra Lashkari arguing that Modi, being a vegetarian, should not be associated with a fish market.“Because Modi is a vegetarian, this board should not be put up,” Lashkari said.However, Kalpesh Navsariwala, president of the Surat Fish Merchant Association (SFMA), defended the move, saying the association had passed a resolution to name the market after Modi. The association’s name also appears on the board.Navsariwala said the Centre had sanctioned Rs 3 crore for the project under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, launched by the Modi government. He also credited the government with supporting the welfare of fishermen and said the market had generated employment opportunities.SMC Executive Engineer of the Central Zone, RD Ganjawala, clarified that the civic body had not formally approved the proposed name.According to Ganjawala, the SFMA had submitted a written request to the SMC Standing Committee chairman and Central Zone authorities seeking approval to name the facility after Modi.“The board was put up without an official resolution. We have informed them about it and they have given a verbal assurance that they will take it down themselves,” Ganjawala said.He added that the formal procedure to consider the naming proposal was underway.Ganjawala confirmed that the Centre had contributed Rs 3 crore under the Matsya Sampada Yojana, with the remaining cost borne by the SMC.The market has 80 large wholesale stalls and was built at an estimated cost of Rs 9 crore to Rs 10 crore, according to the civic official.(With PTI inputs)
