SGPDA to float Rs 3 crore fish market sopo tender after fresh valuation

The new wholesale fish market buildings with paintings of dolphins.

Photo Credits: The Goan

MARGAO
The South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) has finally decided to float an e-tender for the collection of sopo fees from the wholesale fish market for an estimated amount of around Rs three crore.

A host of questions, however, remain unanswered – will the tender attract bidders for the collection of sopo fees from the wholesale fish market, or will the exercise again turn out to be a lost opportunity considering the fact that the PDA is expected to float the tender pegged at a base price of Rs three crore? For, while the PDA’s departmental collection of revenue is presently pegged around Rs 12-13 lakh a month, the PDA now expects contractors to pay a minimum of Rs 25 lakh every month in sopo revenue to the planning body.

At the SGPDA meeting chaired by Chairman, MLA Krishna Salkar, the members gave their nod for the floating of the e-tender for the wholesale fish market sopo fee collection.

The PDA Chairman later told the media that the SGPDA will float the wholesale fish market tender for Rs three crore before January 31. Admitting that the wholesale fish market tender has been pending for over a year, Salkar said the PDA had floated a tender in late 2023, but it could not be taken to a logical conclusion after bidders raised objections to the fishing experience clause.

He further said the previous tender floated, pegged at around Rs four crore, was found to be on the higher side, forcing many bidders to stay away. “We have now come out with a fresh valuation and assessment wherein the tender will be floated for Rs three crore. The tender will be floated before January 31,” he added.

PDA member Vijai Sardesai has demanded that the PDA ensure that defaulters are barred from participating in the tender, cautioning that the PDA should take care to ensure that defaulters do not take the tender through benami names.

SGPDA-MMC tussle for sopo fees
The meeting also discussed the issue of the bid made by the Margao Municipal Council (MMC)-appointed sopo contractor to collect sopo fees from fishermen doing business on the paved area outside the wholesale fish market complex.

The PDA Chairman pointed out that since the area in question belongs to the SGPDA, the sopo contractor appointed by the PDA was collecting the sopo fees. “Since there was a misunderstanding between the PDA and MMC over the sopo collection, the Collector has intervened now to resolve the issue amicably,” he added.

The SGPDA meeting has decided to levy Margao Municipal sopo fee rates for the vegetable and fruit vendors doing business in the PDA retail market. The PDA will take a call on the levy of fees for the fish vendors at a later stage.

Salkar told the media that the existing Rs 10 sopo fees are not enough to cover the upkeep and maintenance of the PDA retail market. He said the PDA has also prepared the estimates to spruce up the market.

MLA Vijay Sardesai told the media that he has opposed any move to apply the MMC sopo fees to the fish vendors, considering that the retail fish activity in the wholesale fish market has affected the business of retail fish vendors.

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Penguins in Goa? Vijai questions ‘out of place’ artwork on market building
The new wholesale fish market is finally ready for commissioning, but the painting of penguins on the redeveloped wholesale fish market building has kicked up a row ahead of the inauguration.

Raising serious objections, Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai questioned the rationale behind penguins being painted on the imposing market building when local varieties of fish, including shevtte, pomfret, velli, mackerels, et al, ought to have found a place in the painting.

Saying the building in question is a wholesale fish market where penguins are not sold and cannot be sold, Sardesai feared that the painting may invite the wrath of animal lovers. “I do not know who is responsible for painting penguins on the market building. I cannot remain a silent spectator since the wholesale fish market is located in my Fatorda constituency. I have told them to change the painting immediately before the building is inaugurated,” he said.

The Fatorda MLA said he raised the issue at the meeting of the SGPDA held on Friday, adding that the PDA Chairman, MLA Krishna Salkar, has promised to bring about the changes.

When the media drew the attention of the PDA Chairman, Krishna Salkar, to the row over penguins featuring in the painting, he said the matter would be rectified immediately. “A penguin is not the state fish at all. I do not know who has painted a penguin on the building. We will rectify the mistake by taking appropriate steps,” Salkar assured.