Herald: The vendors claim that the Panjim has been charging Rs 10 per sq mt. So, why is PMC, a ‘B’ Class municipal council, charging Rs 20 as sopo tax?
RN: The CCP has a vast market area compared to Ponda. So also, it has a large number of commercial establishments, shops, offices, etc. We are solely dependent on the market sopo and majority of our sopo income has to be spent on expenses to run the market.
Herald: Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar has said the PMC has been ignoring his views as an MLA. What is your response?
RN: The question of ignoring (the MLA) does not arise. There were around 23 meetings in the PMC on different issues and he hardly attended three of those meetings. Regarding the sopo tax, he had not sent the PMC any official letter making a suggestion regarding the sopo tax nor did he attend any meeting on the issue. We heard and read his views only on news channels and newspapers.
Herald: He has said he is ready to give Rs 25 lakh as compensation to PMC through the government funds, if it stops auctioning sopo tax to the contractor. Why is the PMC not accepting this proposal?
RN: It was not the PMC’s decision, but the Director of Municipal Administration (DMA) has directed the council not to depend on the government, but that it should be self-sufficient in raising own fund through various measures.
Herald: The agitating vendors claim that you have failed to act in the interest of poor vendors and the sopo contract is for the betterment of the contractor.
RN: We awarded the sopo tender to the highest bidder present on the auction day. The bid started at Rs 46.1 lakh based on formula for calculation on the average of three years. Further, the raising bid remains in the hands of bidder and accordingly, the highest bid of Rs 61.25 lakh was awarded.
