3 weeks ago
Mount Mary Basilica Denies Bias, Defends Bandra Fair Stall Lottery
Mount Mary Basilica gives stalls to sellers during the annual Bandra Fair.
Some people said the stall process was unfair and that relatives of staff members may have received stalls.
One applicant asked for an independent investigation.
The Basilica said everyone could apply and that a public lottery was used.
It said the lottery records and payment receipts can be checked.
The Basilica also said one questioned allotment was cancelled and the stall was sealed.
Sellers also complained that some stalls were too expensive and were left empty.
The Basilica said 128 stalls were allotted and that five reserved stalls were later offered publicly at the standard price.
The fair ends on Sunday.
Mount Mary Basilica denied favouritism, financial irregularities and a lack of transparency in Bandra Fair stall allotments.
The Basilica said applications were publicly invited and stalls were assigned through a lottery.
A complainant sought an independent inquiry into the 2025 and 2026 allotments, including possible staff conflicts of interest.
The Basilica said 128 stalls were allotted, while 20 were reserved for Church-run organisations and NGOs.
The Basilica said five unclaimed reserved stalls entered the open category at the standard rate of Rs 700 per sq ft.
- Who
- Mount Mary Basilica, unsuccessful applicant Vijay Parmar, former stall holder Rupesh Gomes and Basilica Rector Fr Vernon Aguiar are central to the dispute.
- What
- The Basilica is defending its stall-allotment process against allegations of favouritism, irregularities and insufficient transparency.
- Where
- The disputed stalls are at the Mount Mary Steps during the Bandra Fair in Mumbai.
- When
- The inquiry request concerns the 2025 and 2026 allotments; the current eight-day fair ends on Sunday.
- Why
- The allegations concern possible conflicts of interest, reserved stalls being reallocated and high prices affecting vendors; the Basilica says an open lottery and verifiable digital payments were used.
Complainants and Former Stall Holders
Mount Mary Basilica
Fairness of allotments
Complainants and Former Stall Holders
Vijay Parmar alleged that relatives of two Basilica staff members received stalls in both 2025 and 2026 and requested an independent inquiry.
Mount Mary Basilica
The Basilica denied bias and said a discrepancy in one application led to cancellation and sealing of the allotment; it said the applicant was not related to a Basilica staff member.
Stall pricing and availability
Complainants and Former Stall Holders
Rupesh Gomes alleged that high prices harmed business and said many stalls at the Mount Mary Steps were vacant by the third day of the fair.
Mount Mary Basilica
The Basilica said five unclaimed reserved stalls were released into the open category at the standard rate of Rs 700 per sq ft.
Transparency of the process
Complainants and Former Stall Holders
The allegations questioned the lists of applicants and eligible applicants, reserved-stall handling and vendor payments.
Mount Mary Basilica
Fr Vernon Aguiar said the process was fully transparent, with applications, lottery documentation and payment receipts available for independent verification.
Key facts
- Stalls allotted by lottery
- 128 stalls
- Reserved stalls
- 20 stalls were reserved for Church-run organisations and NGOs.
- Unclaimed reserved stalls
- Five were released into the open category.
- Standard stall rate
- Rs 700 per sq ft for a 10 ft x 10 ft stall.
- Alleged higher prices
- Some stalls were reportedly offered at Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh each.
- Payment method
- The Basilica said payments were made digitally and were verifiable.
- Fair duration
- The fair lasts eight days and ends on Sunday.
Quotes
Rupesh Gomes
Former stall holder whose family previously held special stall rights
“The effect of the price hike is that many stalls at Mount Mary Steps are lying vacant even on the third day of the fair. Bandra Fair is dying.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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