PANAJI
As assured on the Floor of the House by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the State government on Monday directed local bodies across the State not to collect Sopo (market fees) from vendors selling Matoli items during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival within their jurisdiction.
The Directorate of Panchayat and Municipal Administration has issued circular recommending all the village panchayats and municipalities not to collect sopo or any other tax.
“As directed by the Chief Minister, the Commissioner CCP and all the Chief Officers of Urban Local Bodies and Secretary panchayats are hereby recommended not to tax/charge any kind of fees/charges to the vendors who sell traditional Matoli items in local markets within their jurisdiction,” the circular stated.
The circular was issued after coming across cases of sopo collection by municipalities like Mapusa from such Matoli vendors.
During the recently concluded monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, CM had assured the relief after Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai raised the concern.
Sardesai had urged the government to allow traditional vendors to sell local produce in designated open spaces without being charged fees, highlighting the cultural significance of Matoli items during the Chaturthi.
On Monday, Sardesai, welcoming the move, demanded to reimburse the sopo amount collected by municipalities to the local vendors.
