Speaking to reporters after the meeting of Ponda Town Vending Committee in PMC hall on Thursday, Fernandes, who is also holding additional charge as Ponda deputy collector, said there were complaints from the sopo contractor that many vendors were seated in the shed without paying sopo tax since the last 15 days and the decision to file a suit was taken after the meeting with the Town Vending Committee.
“Before filing suit, PMC will conduct an inspection to check who are not paying sopo tax in the market area,” he said.
“Complaints will be filed in the Ponda police station against those not paying sopo tax to the contractor, and a report in this regard will be sent to the Director of Municipal Administration (DMA). Thereafter, suits will be filed against those occupying the market area for last two weeks without paying sopo tax,” informed Fernandes.
According to PMC Chairperson Radhika Naik, it is foolishness on the part of some vendors to protest against the sopo tax. “Only two complaints are received from non-registered vendors association against hiked sopo tax and contractor overcharging them,” she claimed.
“While going through such complaints, not a single vendor who is a member of the Town Vending Committee said the contractor is overcharging them. Some vendor leaders and a former chairperson are instigating the vendors in the market not to pay the sopo tax and hence PMC is compelled to take legal action as it is paying water and electricity bill and garbage contractors,” said Naik.
“Since vendors are not paying sopo tax to the contractor, it is not possible for PMC to raise the required funds to meet expenses. PMC has to pay 12.5 per cent service tax to the government on the sopo contract amount. There is no illegality in Sopo tender as claimed by some vendors,” she added.
The Town Vending Committee consisting of eight vendors, PMC chairperson and vice chairperson, three councillors, police and traffic inspector, doctors and prominent citizens attended the meeting, which was called following the direction of the DMA to discuss implementation of Street Vendors Act and problems created due to non-payment of sopo tax.
