In his letter dated February 9 to the Sopo contractor, Fernandes directed the contractor to pay accumulated Sopo instalment of about Rs 22.75 lakh (upto January 2015) and the balance amount by March end.
Fernandes further stated that the Sopo contractor paid initial instalment of Rs 14.27 lakh through post-dated cheques up to the first fortnight of July 2014 and further deposited Rs 4.5 lakh by way of pay order dated September 12, 2014. However, the contractor thereafter failed to pay Sopo instalment despite sending reminders.
“Some vendors claim that you are collecting Rs 20,000 per day from open vendors in the market, but not depositing it in PMC’s coffer. Hence, I direct you to pay Rs 22.75 lakh accumulated amount of instalments, 13 instalments of Rs 1.75 lakh each, failing which security deposit will be adjusted and the balance amount will be recovered as per the Municipality Act 1968,” states the letter.
The Sopo contractor on February 17 filed a reply to the order, but the chief officer put a remark on his request stating that as per agreement with PMC, he should pay the Sopo arrears in seven days, failing which police complaint will be lodged and direction be given to stop collecting Sopo.
The information was obtained by vendors leader Kishore Mamlekar under RTI Act, the copy of which is in the possession of Herald. Mamlekar has demanded urgent action against the Sopo contractor.
