SGPDA hit by revenue loss as sopo collection tender for wholesale fish market falls through

Team Herald

MARGAO: It has been revealed that the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) has seen a sharp decline in earnings from fish trading activities at the wholesale fish market due to the absence of a sopo collection contractor over the past two years.

The lack of a contractor responsible for collecting sopo fees has significantly impacted the market's revenue. This shortfall underscores broader financial management and oversight issues within the SGPDA. Addressing this gap is crucial for ensuring the market’s proper functioning and maximizing its revenue potential. There is an urgent need to secure a contractor and improve the financial outcomes for the SGPDA.

According to information obtained via the Right to Information Act, the SGPDA currently deposits only Rs. 2.5 to 3 lakh per month in profit from sopo collection at the wholesale fish market, as it is now handling the task internally. In contrast, when the sopo collection was managed by a contractor, the SGPDA’s monthly profit was nearly Rs. 12 lakh. This significant drop in revenue highlights the financial impact of not having a dedicated contractor for sopo collection.

Notably, the SGPDA has finally cancelled the sopo tender floated in 2023 after nearly a year. The main reason for this cancellation was the lack of interest from bidders, as the quoted rate—nearly Rs. 32 lakh per month—was considered excessively high.

In response, the SGPDA plans to issue a revised tender within the next two months, hoping to attract more competitive and feasible bids that address the current revenue shortfall.

RTI information reveals that the SGPDA is currently handling sopo collection and maintenance work at the wholesale fish market itself. As a result, the monthly collection has risen to nearly Rs. 12 lakh. However, of the Rs. 12 lakh collected, Rs. 6 lakh is spent on labor charges, with additional funds going towards maintenance. The remaining Rs. 2.5 to 3 lakh is deposited into the government treasury.

In comparison, when a sopo contractor was in charge, the SGPDA directly received nearly Rs. 12 lakh each month, with the contractor covering all maintenance and labor costs. This arrangement resulted in a higher net revenue for the authority.

"For the last two and a half years, the SGPDA has lost a substantial amount of revenue from fish trading activities at the wholesale fish market," said Remedious Fernandes, a citizen of Fatorda.

"What is more shocking is that, despite High Court directions, the authority has failed to complete the sopo tendering process and attract interested bidders."

Fernandes expressed concern over the financial losses and the SGPDA’s inability to resolve the issue despite judicial mandates. He also alleged, based on RTI information, that there may be misappropriation of funds involved.

"We don’t understand why the SGPDA is not taking the issue of engaging sopo contractors at the wholesale fish market seriously," said Cedric D'Souza, another citizen of Fatorda.

"The conditions laid down in the recent tender floated by the authorities were shocking, which resulted in no bidders coming forward." D'Souza expressed frustration over the lack of effective action and the impact of inadequate tender terms on attracting potential contractors.