MARGAO
Fishermen, including boat owners on Friday cried foul over what they termed as “double taxation” when they bring fish at the wholesale fish market.
They pointed out that while the fishermen are required to pay sopo fees for bringing the catch to the wholesale fish market, they have claimed that the sopo contractor appointed by the Margao Municipal Council also levies sopo fees on the fishermen outside the market.
A delegation of boat owners comprising of former Minister Jose Philip D’Souza, Savio D’Silva called on Margao Municipal Chairperson Damu Shirodkar and Chief Officer Melvyn Vaz with a plea to resolve the vexed sopo issue.
The delegation drew attention of the MMC Chairperson and Chief Officer that fishermen bringing their catch to the wholesale fish market are levied sopo inside the market and outside by the sopo contractors appointed by the SGPDA and MMC respectively.
They also demanded to know how come the cycle vendors buying fish from the wholesale fish market are levied sopo fees when these vendors are forced to pay sopo fees in the villages when they go to sell fish. “This double taxation has to stop forthwith,” Jose Philip demanded.
He said vehicles of boat owners are charged sopo fees when they enter the wholesale fish market and again when the vehicle comes on the road.
Boat owner Savio D’Silva echoed similar sentiments.
After giving a patient hearing, Chief Officer Melvyn Vaz has promised to call a meeting between the sopo contractor and the boat owners to resolve the issue. Chairperson Damu Shirodkar told the media that whatever issues raised by the boat owners will be resolved after hearing the sopo contractor.
