MAPUSA
In a surprising turn of events, the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has awarded the Sopo collection contract for the municipal market to Krishna Damodar Shirodkar, the son of a contractor who had previously accused three councillors of demanding bribes.
This contract, valued at Rs 1.60 crore, covers the period from September 2024 to August 31, 2025.
Two years ago, in the 2022 financial year, the Sopo collection contract was awarded to Damodar Shirodkar, who later raised serious allegations against three councillors, accusing them of demanding a "hafta" (bribe) of Rs 2 lakh per month to allow him to continue his legal Sopo collection business.
Shirodkar’s allegations included threats that his contract would be terminated if he refused to pay.
Despite the gravity of the accusations, no significant action was taken after a reported inquiry by the then Chief Officer, and the issue eventually faded from public attention.
For nearly two years after the end of Damodar Shirodkar's contract, the MMC struggled to find a contractor willing to take on the Sopo collection duties.
The council issued tenders at least three times, but no one applied, primarily due to the high rate of Rs 2 crore per annum that was set for the contract.
During this period, municipal staff took over Sopo collection, but the revenue plummeted.
Allegations surfaced that the collection process was mishandled, with suspicions that funds were being siphoned off.
Some councillors were suspected of taking advantage of the situation, though no official action was taken.
In a new twist, the latest tender has now been awarded to Krishna Damodar Shirodkar, the son of the original whistleblower.
The decision marks the first successful tendering of the Sopo contract since the allegations surfaced in 2022, and the contract amount has been adjusted to Rs 1.60 crore, a more reasonable figure compared to previous bids.
As the new Sopo contractor begins operations, all eyes will be on the MMC to ensure that the process is transparent and free of the controversies that have plagued it in recent years.
The move also raises questions about the council’s internal controls and the effectiveness of previous investigations into serious allegations of corruption.
