Stakeholders demand exemptions, lump-sum rates, dedicated space for local boat owners and traditional fishers
MARGAO
As the countdown begins for the commissioning of the redeveloped wholesale fish market, fishing stakeholders have red flagged attempt by the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) to hike the market sopo fees.
On the contrary, the stakeholders have point blank conveyed to SGPDA Chairman, MLA Krishna Salkar to roll back what they termed steep sopo fees and give relief to the Goan fishermen, including boat owners and traditional fishermen.
Representatives of traditional fishermen further made a plea that the PDA should exempt them from payment of sopo fees or charge them lump sum amount considering they bring small catch to the market.
The traditional fishermen further demanded that the PDA allot separate space for the Goan fishermen in the redeveloped market. They demanded first preference for the local fishermen to sell fish, complaining that the inter-State fish traders choke the market with fish-laden vehicles.
The meeting with the stakeholders was called by the SGPDA on Tuesday evening to obtain feedback from the fish traders involved in inter-State fish trade and the Goan fishermen comprising of boat owners and traditional fishermen.
President of Goencho Ramponkarancho Ekvott Agnelo Rodrigues reminded the SGPDA that the wholesale fish market was meant for the local fishermen, but lamented that the market is now taken over by outside fish traders. He said the traditional fishermen do not find the wholesale fish market economical to sell fish considering the exorbitant sopo fees levied on the fishermen.
Cutbona Fisheries Society Chairman Savio D’Silva demanded scrapping of the hourly-basis sopo fees for Goan fishermen in the wholesale fish market. He said the PDA should give a package for the local fishermen with a one-time rate.
President of Margao Wholesale Fish Market Trader Association Maulana Ibrahim said all the fishing stakeholders have vehemently objected to any move to hike the sopo fees. While demanding status quo in the rates, Ibrahim said the PDA should either exempt traditional fishermen from paying sopo fees or impose only a nominate rate. “We have questioned the rationale behind the hourly sopo rate charged by the PDA. Nowhere in the country there is hourly rate on the fishermen and traders. The PDA should rationalise the sopo fee collection,” Ibrahim demanded.
After giving a patient hearing to the stakeholders, the PDA Chairman said the suggestions will be discussed with PDA members, PWD Minister Digambar Kamat and Vijai Sardesai before a final meeting with the Chief Minister.
The PDA Chairman further said that separate space will be allocated to the Goan fishermen in the market. As far as retail vendors are concerned, Salkar said only the traditional fishermen from Benaulim and Colva, who were identified during the tenure of former CM late Manohar Parrikar will be accommodated in the redeveloped market.
