According to Ponda PSI Gokuldas Malik, the Ponda Market Inspector Mahadev Naik was assisting the sopo contractor in the collection of sopo tax at the Ponda Municipal Market, following directives from the PMC chief officer.
Police further informed that some vendors obstructed him from performing his duty in the market. Acting on the police complaint, Ponda police registered an FIR against five vendors.
It may be recalled that the vendors have been opposing the hiked sopo tax since the last month on grounds that it is exorbitant. However, even after the government proposed to reduce sopo tax to Rs 12 (market shed) and Rs 6 (open space) per sq mts respectively, vendors still considered it to be exorbitant.
Meanwhile, the Ponda Municipal Council staff had a market survey in a bid to implement the Street Vendors Act.
The PMC workers have been taking measurement of the area occupied by vendors, their identity, etc. Some vendors accused the PMC staff of demanding PAN cards from them, which they do not possess.
