MARGAO: Stating that the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) failed to comply with the directions of the High Court with regards to appointing a person to collect fees at wholesale fish market, the Margao Wholesale Fish Traders’ Association on Monday took out a morcha against the Authority and made its stand clear that they will not pay any fees to the present sopo collector.
There are possibilities of law and order problems in the market.
The last date mentioned in the court orders ended on Monday, December 27. However, the PDA stated that it has already initiated the process and the name of the person to collect the fees will be finalised soon keeping in mind all legal aspects.
Nearly 50 wholesale fish traders under the leadership of their President Moulana Ibrahim marched to the PDA office, wherein a delegation of three members met Ranjit Borkar, Member Secretary (MS) of the PDA and deliberated on the issue.
Fish traders have made their stand clear that they will not pay any paisa to the present sopo collector, and the PDA will be responsible if any law and order problem takes place. Ibrahim took to the task MS for failing to complete the process of appointing the person to collect fees upon the directions of the court.
Speaking to the media persons, Ibrahim said the time period of three months given by the High Court to complete the process ended on December 27.
“We will not pay any fees to the present sopo collector who has taken a charge illegally. The court directions are very much clear that they should appoint the person legally or collect the fee through PDA staff, but they failed,” he stated.
He warned the PDA that they will not be responsible for the law and order problems in the market.
“It has been brought to our notice that the present sopo collector is paying Rs 8 lakh to the PDA, but we are ready to pay Rs 15 lakh and hence let the PDA give the responsibility of collecting the fees to the Wholesale Fish Traders’ Association,” said Ibrahim.
Ranjit Borkar, MS of PDA said notice has been floated with regards to appointing a person to collect fees and it will be finalised shortly.
“PDA has also got the approval from the concerned departments. It has been delayed only because of some technical issues. There were some issues related to a new system adopted in floating the tender. We have also informed that court about the difficulties,” he clarified.
He said the issue will be discussed at the PDA meeting soon.
