Mapusa vendors meet Mapusa Municipal Council Chairperson Priya Mishal and demanded roll back of Sopo rate.
MAPUSA
Upset over the steep hike in the Sopo rate, vendors in Mapusa municipal market on Tuesday appealed to the civic body to roll back the rate as it was too high.
A delegation of vendors from the vegetable market met the Mapusa Municipal Council Chairperson Priya Mishal and requested her to consider their appeal to reduce the rate.
The vendors informed that it was not feasible for them to pay Sopo as per the new rate which was very high.
They disclosed that the actual rate of Sopo was working to around Rs 67 but the vendors were made to cough up Rs 90 by the civic body.
The vendors informed that they were doing business with a small stock besides having to pay for several other costs and therefore, the new Sopo rate would only add to their woes.
“Consumers hesitate to enter inside the vegetable market. They prefer to buy from the migrant vendors who carry out the same business outside in the open space which also affects our business,” a vendor informed.
The chairperson informed the vendors to make a written representation to the council about their request.
“We cannot take any decision in the matter. The decision to increase the Sopo rate was taken by the council so any decision to reduce or reverse the decision will have to be also decided by the council,” Mishal said.
MMC Vice Chairperson Viraj Phadke informed that Sopo rate has been increased by only Rs 5 and another Rs 5 is being charged for garbage collection.
“We are charging Rs 25 for vendors sitting inside while those sitting outside are charged Rs 15 besides the garbage fee,” Phadke said.
He said the council will have to take a final decision in the matter.
