the goan I network
PERNEM
The Pernem Municipal Council suffered a loss after fish vendors, who said they had no business due to flooding, refused to pay the Sopo tax on account of no business.
The roads were flooded at many places due to clogged drains and rainwater entered the Pernem municipal market.
People chose to remain indoors and avoided the flooded market area, leaving fish vendors without business.
“Many customers refused to visit the market because of the flooding. Only two-three customers came to buy fish. Since there was no business, many of us refused to pay Sopo tax today,” said one of the affected fisherwomen.
Rainwater also flooded many shops in the area, forcing the affected shop owners to close their establishments for the day.
Taking cognisance of the clogged drains, PMC convened an urgent meeting of councillors, Chief Officer Gautami Parmekar and PWD road division workers.
Parmekar then immediately wrote a letter to Pernem MLA Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar to sanction the work to clean the drains.
