MARGAO
Aam Aadmi Party Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas has written to Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho to waive off boski/ sopo fees collected by the panchayat bodies from women self-help groups registered under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) formed under GSRLM “Stree Shakti”.
The MLA has further requested the panchayat bodies to see if they can stop collecting the sopo fees from the women SHGs pending a decision by the Panchayat Minister to waive off the sopo.
Saying that women SHGs needs all out support and patronage for marketing of their goods, Venzy pointed out that women coming to sell their goods in the towns and villages are being charged sopo fees by the contractors. “The panchayats and municipalities have appointed contractors to collect the sopo fees. We have found that many a time, these hapless women have to face abuses from these people collecting the sopo. Instead of promoting women SHGs, such actions will only demoralise the women to come forward and showcase their talent and goods,” he said.
