Team Herald
MARGAO: Claiming that the situation at the wholesale fish market is very pathetic, the wholesale fish traders of Margao have decided not to pay the “sopo” fee to the sopo collector engaged by South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA), if the market cleanliness and illumination is not carried out by November 30.
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However, SGPDA Chairmen Wilfred D’Sa refuted the allegations.
Addressing the media persons, Ibrahim Moulana, president of Margao Wholesale Fish Market Association, along with other wholesale fish traders alleged that the SGPDA has completely failed in keeping the market clean for the last two years, despite charging huge fees from the wholesale fish traders.
He further accused sopo collector Milagres Fernandes and Wilfred D’Sa, chairperson of SGPDA for showing negligence towards the market.
“This is not the first time we have been submitting the memorandum or writing letters to the SGPDA. We have been highlighting the issues of the wholesale fish market on a continuous basis but they failed to keep the market clean,” said Ibrahim.
He further informed that there is no proper drainage system and the rainwater gets accumulated in the potholes all over the market, as a result mosquitoes, worms breed in the stagnant water thereby causing hazardous conditions for the people working and visiting the market.
“The lights of the wholesale fish market are not working for more than two months, and hence we have to carry out our business in total darkness,” he stated.
Ibrahim said heavy fees are collected from the wholesale fish traders, yet no cleanliness is being maintained in the market.
And hence, the wholesale fish traders have decided not to pay the fees to the sopo collector, if they fail to clean the market and repair the lights by November 30.
Wilfred D’Sa, chairman of SGPDA and Nuvem MLA refuted the charges laid down by the wholesale fish traders.
