MARGAO: The Margao Market Traders Association on Thursday met Margao Municipal Council Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes and complained that the levy charges and maintenance contractor of South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) is fleecing the traders and vendors.
The traders led by Rajendra Azgaonkar, Ashraf Pandial and Aslam Shaikh met the Chief Officer and informed him that previously the vendors and traders paid Rs 10, 20 or 30 for the “sopo” charges. However, lately the contractor has started measuring the places and charging Rs 100 and 150 as fine from the traders and vendors.
The association complained that the fees and measurement of the vending place for wholesale should be done according to the law.
Ashraf said, “There is no law that is being followed. Corporate tax has been added which is adding up to the charges for the vendors. We want the law to be followed to make sure that the vendors and traders are not fleeced.”
Rajendra said, “This is a government of the poor and the poor can’t be troubled in this manner. We won’t pay if this fleecing continues by the contractor.”
Meanwhile, the Chief Officer has advised the traders not to pay high amounts if demanded.
“It was the first day of the contractor appointed for collection of ‘sopo’ charges. The ‘sopo’ collection contract has been awarded to the bidder who quoted the highest that is Rs 70 lakh. This tender has been awarded after much ado,” said CO Agnelo.
The Chief Officer said that if the traders have objections to the measurements by the contractor, the Margao Municipal Council, will redo the same and put in on the register to make sure no other objections remain.”
