PONDA: A major confrontation is on the cards as market vendors from Ponda have decided not to pay the increased sopo tax from Saturday, after objecting to the exorbitant sopo collection by the sopo contractor.
In its meeting on Friday, the Ponda Municipal Council confirmed the increased rates of sopo tax from May 16. PMC Chairperson Radhika Naik claimed that PMC has the right to increase or decrease the rates.
At a meeting in the market complex premises, the vendors, who ARE backed by Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar, have claimed that it had been done without a special resolution of Ponda Municipal Council. They also said that PMC should collect the sopo tax at old rates.
The meeting was organised by People of Ponda (POP). Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar, who was present for the meeting extended his support to the vendors and said that PMC should not do injustice to the vendors.
“I am against sopo tax since 2012 and I got elected on this issue. Exploitation of poor vendors should be stopped,” he said.
“I am ready to give Rs 25 lakh as compensation to PMC through the government funds, provided it discards the thought of auctioning sopo,” added Mamledar.
