A group of businessmen from Colva on Thursday called on the village panchayat to question the notices received from the body to pay sopo collection fees to the Panchayat-appointed sopo fee collector.
The notices had directed them to pay market fees to the authorised fee collector and submit the proof of payment to the Panchayat office at the earliest, warning that non-compliance with the directive will compel the Panchayat to initiate appropriate action as per the relevant provisions of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act and Rules.
Numbering around 10-14, the businessmen, including owners of restaurants, questioned how their business activity falls under the sopo fee category when they have been doing business by paying trade licences. They pointed out that the sopo fees are normally levied on vendors and hawkers as occupation fees and raised questions over extending the sopo fees to restaurants and other business activities.
During the discussion, the panchayat authorities maintained that the Panchayat had recently appointed a new sopo fee collector, who will be briefed accordingly by the Panchayat. However, it was pointed out that the Panchayat can still levy sopo fees on business premises running on trade licences if any business activity is being conducted outside the shop or premises.
The delegation later told the media that they will seek rules and bye-laws governing sopo collection under the RTI for further clarity on the issue. Another businessman, however, maintained that the issue was amicably resolved after the Panchayat agreed that the new sopo collector was not aware of the levy of sopo collection fees.
