Concerns have been raised over the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA)’s handling of the fish market sopo tender, with representatives of a Goan fishermen’s society alleging a lack of transparency and questioning the authority’s intentions.
Addressing the media, Savio alleged that the SGPDA’s actions surrounding the tender process suggest a “hidden agenda” and claimed there had been large-scale corruption during the construction of the fish market project.
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He said the fishermen’s society had submitted a bid for the sopo tender and had assured the authorities that it would undertake the collection of sopo fees while also maintaining the entire market. However, he claimed that their proposal was not taken into consideration.
Savio further alleged that although the fish market was established to benefit Goan fishermen, it is now largely occupied by traders from outside the state. He also questioned the delay in the sopo tender process, alleging that financial irregularities were taking place with the blessings of the SGPDA.
Raising another concern, Savio sought answers on the status of the cold storage facility that had reportedly been promised for the market but has yet to materialise.
He also criticised the SGPDA for allegedly failing to consult Goan fishermen before taking key decisions concerning the market, stating that the fishing community should have been taken into confidence throughout the process.
The SGPDA has not yet responded publicly to the allegations.
