MAPUSA
The decision of Mapusa city-fathers to waive off Rs 12.98 lakh instalment of the Sopo collector in the municipal market has come to haunt them with the government on Tuesday launching an investigation in the alleged Sopo scam in the municipality.
On Tuesday, the deputy director of urban development was housed with the Chief Officer going through a pile of files related to the Sopo contract in the municipal market of Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC).
The alleged fraud on Sopo collection happened in 2021 when the council under then chairperson Shubanghi Vaigankar decided to waive off a whopping amount of Rs 12.98 lakh at the request of the then market Sopo contractor Mandar Nagvenkar.
The MMC unanimously passed a resolution to waive off the amount but did not take the permission of the government, which was mandatory. “The council does not have powers to waive off the dues of the Sopo contractor without approvals of the government,” said Jawharlal Shetye, the complainant against the council’s faux pas.
In his complaint to the Department of Urban Development and Vigilance, the complainant demanded inquiry in the matter and also to take steps to recover the amount from the contractor or the councillors. He also demanded that the then chairperson and the councillors responsible for committing the alleged fraud be booked on charges of criminal breach of trust, falsification of accounts and under the prevention of corruption act.
In response to the complaint, Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane instructed officials to conduct a comprehensive examination of the matter.
