Municipal council's survey halted as vendors oppose fee reassessment
Tension prevailed at Gandhi Market in Margao as MMC officials conducted stall measurements for sopo fee assessment.
MARGAO
Tensions flared at Gandhi Market on Monday after officials from the Margao Municipal Council (MMC), accompanied by sopo collection agents, attempted to measure vendor stalls to reassess fees.
The inspection drive was halted following strong opposition from market leaders, including former deputy chief minister Manohar Ajgaonkar and his brother Rajendra Ajgaonkar. The duo insisted that no measurements would be permitted unless a similar exercise was first conducted in the Municipal New Market.
The situation escalated when municipal inspectors, along with police personnel and sopo agents, arrived at the market to verify whether stall sizes matched official records. The presence of private sopo collection agents drew sharp criticism from the Ajgaonkar brothers, who questioned why civic officials required their involvement and alleged intimidation of vendors.
A visibly agitated Manohar Ajgaonkar stated that vendors at Gandhi Market would not engage with sopo contractors or their agents, emphasising that the matter falls solely within the jurisdiction of the municipality. He further alleged that certain political elements were attempting to extract additional sopo fees “by hook or by crook” and warned that he would "expose" those involved.
Ajgaonkar also insisted that the contractor personally visit the market for any discussions and demanded that all representatives carry valid identification.
MMC Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar later clarified that the survey was intended to verify whether the actual stall areas matched municipal records. “We already have records for both the New Market and Gandhi Market. This exercise is to cross-check those records with the ground reality,” he said.
However, questions continue to be raised within market circles over the timing of the exercise and the rationale behind collecting additional fees, especially when the civic body is responsible for addressing encroachments.
Ajgaonkar rejects additional sopo fees
Manohar Ajgaonkar, who also leads the Gandhi Market Vendors Association, questioned the need for re-measuring stalls when tenders for sopo collection had already been awarded based on existing records. He warned that vendors could suffer financial losses if they paid higher fees now, only to face future action against encroachments.
“We are not prepared to pay any additional sopo fees unless the MMC conducts a similar exercise in the New Market. We will consult with vendors there before taking a final decision,” he said.
Questions over sopo tender process
Ajgaonkar also demanded an inquiry into the awarding of the sopo collection contract to a contractor identified as Bapu. He pointed out that the initial successful bidder had withdrawn under unclear circumstances and questioned whether the contract could legally be awarded to the second bidder or if a fresh tender process was required. “The MMC must clarify these issues immediately,” he said.
