Investigations have revealed that the three Mapusa councillors embroiled in the alleged “hafta” demand charge had backed their favourite Sopo contractor when the tenders were first floated for Sopo collection in the Mapsua municipal market.
Unfortunately for the troika, the bid amount of the contractor they backed came second and therefore the contract of Sopo collection went to the present contractor Damodar Shirodkar.
Sources informed The Goan that soon after their plan flopped, the three councillors began making life difficult for the present contractor.
The contractor was called for meetings on various occasions in the private office belonging to a councillor ostensibly to carry out “settlement” with them.
“When the Sopo contractor refused to play ball, they began to file false complaints against him,” a councillor from the ruling group told The Goan.
He said the modus operandi was simple.
“Once the present contractor was eased out, their favourite contractor whose bid came second would bag the contract and they would get a free run in the Mapusa market,” the councillor said.
