MARGAO: The South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) has once again been criticised by traders and fisherfolk, over the handling of the wholesale fish market, with questions being raised about the fees collected for using the market premises.
While on one hand, SGPDA has claimed that their own personnel collect the sopo fees, the wholesale fish traders, the consortium of fish vendors, ramponkars and boat owners allege that a ‘mystery man’ was collecting fees from them.
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The traders and vendors alleged that the manner in which these fees were being collected raised doubts about its legitimacy and demanded an investigation into this, to clarify how much money SGPDA was earning from the sopo collection and the role of the mystery man.
While the name of the person was given to the authorities, it was the assertion of SGPDA Chairman Krishna ‘Daji’ Salkar that once the tender process for the sopo collection is completed, all these doubts would be put to rest.
However, the long delay on the part of SGPDA, be it during Salkar’s current tenure or the tenure of past Chairmen, questions have been raised as to why has the SGPDA been unable to sort out this tender process. It may be recalled that the High Court had repeatedly pulled up the Authority for these delays.
Moreover, more questions have been raised about the high fees that have been quoted in the tender that was opened for bids – whoever wins the tender will have to pay the SGPDA Rs 32 lakh each month.
Wholesale traders Association President Maulana Ibrahim pointed out that at present, not even half of that amount is collected per month, and questioned the rationale behind SGPDA mandating that Rs 32 lakh be paid by whoever becomes the sopo contractor.
It is to be noted that this and other conditions in the tender have led to roadblocks with the SGPDA extending the deadline for submission of bids to November 13.
Prospective bidders had also met with the SGPDA officials and asked for an explanation for the high charges.
Meanwhile, boat owners’ leader Vinay Tari has demanded that fish cutters be removed from the wholesale market and questioned how they were being allowed in the first place. Tari added that this would help ensure that there is no retail sale of fish at the wholesale fish market.
Traditional fishermen however have demanded that adequate space and facilities be provided at the SGPDA retail fish market to those local fish vendors who are being stopped from selling fish at the wholesale market.
