MMC faces backlash over alleged mistreatment, irregular sopo fee collection
VENDORS SPEAK OUT: The beleaguered local vendors who were allegedly abused and mistreated by MMC staff outside the Mapusa Police Station on Sunday are demanding action and dignity.
MAPUSA
The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has once again come under public scrutiny after local vendors accused municipal staff of verbal abuse and high-handedness during an eviction drive at the town market.
The vendors have demanded the immediate suspension of the civic official
involved in the incident, alleging repeated harassment and disrespectful behaviour from the municipal staff.
The women vendors have also lodged a complaint with the Mapusa police, alleging that municipal staff harassed them and used derogatory language, thereby outraging their modesty.
They claimed that the staff attempted to evict them from their designated vending spots without prior notice or any formal explanation.
“One of the MMC staff used foul language and spoke to us in a very demeaning manner,” said a vendor, recounting the incident that has sparked outrage among traders and market-goers alike.
The episode has elicited strong reactions from citizens, many of whom came out in support of the vendors.
“These vendors are part of the fabric of Mapusa. They provide essential goods and services. They deserve respect, not insults,” said a local resident who witnessed the altercation.
Adding to their grievances, the vendors raised serious concerns over alleged irregularities in the collection of the sopo (market fee). They claimed that the agent appointed to collect the fee often fails to issue receipts and, in some instances, charges more than the official rate.
“When we ask for receipts, we are ignored or even threatened,” another vendor alleged.
In a formal appeal to the civic body, the vendors have outlined four key demands: immediate suspension of the staff member accused of verbal abuse; respectful treatment from all municipal officials; transparency and regulation in sopo fee collection, with mandatory issuance of official receipts; and a fair and transparent system for the allocation of vending spaces in the market.
“The market is our only source of income. We are not encroachers – we are hardworking individuals supporting our families. We urge the MMC to engage in dialogue and find a solution that respects our dignity,” said a senior vendor.
As the controversy gains momentum, civil society groups have stepped in, demanding an independent inquiry into the vendors’ complaints and stricter oversight of municipal staff conduct.
All eyes are now on the MMC as citizens and vendors await a response from the beleaguered civic body.
