MARGAO: Workers of sopo collector engaged by Margao Municipal Council on Tuesday clarified that they are not involved in charging the fishermen and public for parking at the wholesale fish market, and they are only collecting the sopo fees.
Addressing the media persons here, Anthony Fernandes and Rodney Fernandes, who are both working for the sopo collector said that false allegations have been laid down against them by the fishermen community.
Reportedly, a few days back several traditional fishermen under the leadership of Traditional Fishing Boat Owners leader Jose Philip D’Souza had protested over the issue and demanded to take strict action against the sopo collector engaged by the MMC for charging public and fishermen as a fee towards pay parking.
“We have not taken a rupee from the public or from the fishermen as a fee towards the parking by the roadside. Our contract is only to collect the sopo and hence collecting a fee of Rs 50 from the people engaged in selling the fish,” said Anthony. There were allegations that the above-mentioned workers of sopo collector had even assaulted one fisherman for not paying parking fee.
