Delegation meets SGPDA chief, decry harassment, demand reduction in sopo fee
A delegation of Goan fishermen discussing their charter of demands with SGPDA Chairman, MLA Krishna Salkar in the PDA office on Thursday.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Goan fishermen, including traditional fishermen and boat owners on Thursday issued a warning that they will not allow the inauguration of the re-developed wholesale fish market scheduled on April 30 unless the issues plaguing the local fishermen in the market are resolved by the government.
A delegation of fishermen comprising of Jose Philip D’Souza, Savio D’Silva, Olencio Simoes and others called on South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) Chairman, MLA Krishna Salkar and conveyed their list of demands, including reduction of sopo fee rate for the Goan fishermen.
The delegation brought to the notice of the SGPDA the harassment meted out to the Goan fishermen by the sopo fee contractor in the wholesale fish market. Claiming that the Goan fishermen are being charged sopo fees within the market and outside, the fishermen have called to an immediate stop to what they termed as “loot” by the contractors.
Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott Secretary Olencio Simoes said there’s a wholesale scam in the wholesale fish market when the market is meant for the traditional fishermen. He said fish markets across the country are controlled by the local fishermen, but in Goa it is otherwise. He demanded that the tender to collect sopo fees should be given to the fishermen.
Saying the sopo fee collection confusion has been going on for years now, Simoes said until all the issues plaguing the fishermen in the market are resolved, they will not allow the inauguration of the market on April 30.
Jose Philip D’Souza told the media that Goan fishermen are harassed and not respected by the sopo fee contractor in the wholesale fish market. He said the PDA should implement the fees levied on Goan fishermen in both letter and spirit. “Goan fishermen are being charged sopo fees both inside the market and outside. Even fishermen bringing 2-3 baskets of fish are levied the hourly rate. This has to stop immediately,” he demanded.
Boat owner Savio D’Silva echoed similar sentiments saying the sopo fee contractor is charging higher rate on the traditional fishermen without any reason.
SGPDA Chairman Krishna Salkar later told the media that he has assured the fishermen that their demands will be placed before the Authority meeting later this month. “I have already instructed the contractor not to charge the fishermen beyond the prescribed fees. They have further asked for reduction in the fees, which I said will be placed before the Authority meeting,” he added.
On the sopo fee tender, the PDA Chairman said the fishermen wanted the tender to run the wholesale fish market, adding he has told the fishermen that anyone can place bids for the open tender as and when it is floated.
Inauguration of redeveloped Margao wholesale fish market set for April 30
MARGAO: The redeveloped Margao wholesale fish market will be finally inaugurated on April 30.
SGPDA Chairman, MLA Krishna Daji Salkar informed that the stage is finally set for the inauguration of the much-awaited wholesale fish market, redeveloped with central funding.
To a question, the PDA Chairman said that all the facilities mentioned in the centrally funded project, including the cold storage unit, will become a reality in the future. “Right now, the redeveloped market will help in channelizing the waste water and ensure orderly parking of fish laden with vehicles,” he said.
As far as the cold storage unit is concerned, Salkar said the PDA and the government is committed to execute all items mentioned in the project report. “May be the cold storage unit was proposed in the plan and the PDA is committed to execute the item in the coming days,” he added.
Asked to comment on criticism over the painting of dolphin on the redeveloped market walls, Salkar said the PDA will take up the matter with the government for a decision. He, however, said that the PDA cannot paint the photos of each and every fishermen on the building walls.
