MARGAO
Goan fishermen, including ramponkars, magkars and boat owners knocked on the doors of the SGPDA on Tuesday with a plea to provide them with dedicated space in the wholesale fish market and exempt them from payment of hourly fees for doing business in the market.
These traditional fishermen made a representation to the SGPDA not to treat them on par with fish traders bringing fish from outside the State. They pointed out that Goans can hope to get quality and cheap fish only if the SGPDA relaxes the fees imposed on the fishermen at the wholesale fish market.
Goenchea Ramponkarancho Ekvott general secretary Olencio Simoes told SGPDA chairman Krishna Salkar and other members that PDA’s decision to charge those entering the market on an hourly basis has hit the traditional fishermen very dearly. They pointed out that such fees for bringing fish into the wholesale fish market are not imposed on the traditional fishermen in neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka, making a plea to reduce the fees for the local fishermen.
Olencio feared that the cost of the fish will only rise if the PDA imposed hefty fees on an hourly basis for entering the wholesale fish market with the catch.
Chairman of the Cutbona-based Fisheries Cooperative Society Vinay Tari said conditions imposed on the traditional fishermen coming with the catch in the wholesale fish market have forced the community to dispose of the catch at a cheap price.
Commenting on the plea made by the traditional fishermen, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat said the PDA will work out a solution to the fears expressed by the fishermen.
“We have told the fishermen to come out with a concrete proposal so that their fears are addressed and at the same time, the PDA does not suffer any loses,” he said.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said the since the fishermen pointed out that they do not want fees on hourly basis, the PDA will work out a solution. He, however, said total exemption from payment of fees is not possible since it would mean that vehicles of these fishermen will remain parked inside the market for hours.
SGPDA chairman MLA Krishna Daji Salkar later told the media that the PDA in 2020 had worked out hourly rates for fish vehicles entering the wholesale fish market with the catch by giving them some concession. He said the PDA is willing to provide a further discount and give preference to the local fishermen.
“We have told the fishing stakeholders to come out with a proposal which will be studied in detail,” he added.
Vijai against move to provide additional land for fish traders
MARGAO:
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai has vehemently opposed any move by the SGPDA to provide additional land for the fish traders operating at the wholesale fish market.
He told the media after the meeting of the SGPDA that farmers from Fatorda, who have been resisting the land acquisition over the years, are all opposed to any move to provide additional land for the wholesale fish market for parking of vehicles of the fish traders.
Saying he is with the farmers from his constituency, Sardesai said there is no question of additional land being given to the wholesale fish market.
“The wholesale fish market is a curse for Fatordekars. Hardly anyone from Fatorda is doing business or eking a living on the wholesale fish market,” he said while pointing out that Fatordekars have done a favour to the SGPDA by having the market at Madel.
SGPDA to float tender for sopo collection after govt approval
MARGAO:
The SGPDA will float a tender for the controversial collection of sopo fees in the wholesale fish market after approval from the government.
When the issue over the wholesale fish market sopo collection came up before the SGPDA meeting chaired by chairman MLA Krishna Salkar on Tuesday, members asked the PDA to finalize the conditions by incorporating the conditions imposed by the Margao and Mormugao municipal councils on sopo collection in the civic bodies.
“After discussions, the PDA will circulate the conditions to the members before coming out with the final list of conditions,” he said adding that the proposal will then be forwarded to the government for approval.
Member MLA Digambar Kamat told the media that the PDA will tender the sopo collection fees only after considering the conditions to be imposed on the bidders.
