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Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Finance row: SGPDA seeks to bypass MMC for waste collection
Margao: A bitter financial dispute over garbage collection erupted between the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) and the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) recently and is yet to be resolved. The SGPDA is now seeking to engage alternative agencies for waste collection, effectively bypassing the MMC altogether. A written reply tabled in the House in the just-concluded monsoon session of the state legislative assembly revealed the extent of the problem. At the heart of the dispute lie two substantial claims: the MMC's demand for Rs 1.8 crore for waste management services provided to the SGPDA's retail market, and the SGPDA's counterclaim of Rs 3.4 crore dues in unpaid rent for the MMC's operation of a bio-methanation plant on SGPDA property. The financial tussle has been brewing for months, with both bodies sticking to their positions, though garbage collection resumed functioning as usual after a brief hiatus. According to the reply by minister for town and country planning Vishwajit Rane, SGPDA officials claimed that the MMC unilaterally increased daily garbage collection charges from Rs 550 to Rs 5,500 per trip — a staggering 900% increase implemented 'without any notice'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo This fee hike has been termed 'unjustified' by the SGPDA, which has questioned the sudden increase in costs for what was previously a routine municipal service. The MMC, however, has maintained, the reply added, that it has 'no dispute' with the SGPDA, but has pointed out that the SGPDA is not providing waste in a segregated manner required under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, creating problems for the onward disposal. The council conveyed its concerns to the SGPDA even as it continued lifting garbage from SGPDA markets on a daily basis. However, with the standoff showing no signs of resolution, the SGPDA approached the Goa Waste Management Corporation, urging it to appoint alternative agencies for garbage collection, the minister's reply said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
New Margao wholesale fish market to open soon: SGPDA chairman
Margao: South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) chairman and MLA Krishna Salkar on Saturday said that the new wholesale fish market, which he said was almost ready, will be inaugurated soon. He also announced plans to renovate the existing retail fish market, for which estimates were currently being prepared. Following an inspection of the conditions at the existing wholesale fish market, Salkar said that a meeting with chief minister Pramod Sawant has been scheduled for June 17. Decisions about setting the inauguration date for the new wholesale fish market, tendering processes for parking fees and sopo collection, outsourcing arrangements for cleaning and sanitation services, and other matters will be finalised. Officials from the fisheries department, SGPDA, and Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation are expected to attend the meeting. The first phase of construction of the new wholesale fish market was initially targeted for completion by Jan 26 but has since been delayed. Salkar acknowledged the persistent waterlogging problems at the current wholesale fish market, which contributed to unhygienic conditions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo As a temporary measure, he said, the site will be levelled and reinforced with rubble soling. The SGPDA chairman assured that the new wholesale fish market will be made fully operational once all identified faults are rectified. Also, the wastewater from the market will be treated at a sewage treatment plant, and he assured that no discharge will be done into the fields. Salkar also said that no retail fish sales will be permitted within the wholesale fish market premises. Regarding the contentious matter of sopo collection and parking fees for fish-carrying vehicles, Salkar stated that the issue will be resolved once the SGPDA completes the tendering process. He emphasised that the SGPDA will not tolerate any unauthorised fee collection within its complex, and authorised contractors are prohibited from charging vehicles parked outside designated areas. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Sopo contractor overcharging at wholesale market: Trawler owners
Margao: The long-pending feud between the sopo contractor and fish-carrying vehicles entering the SGPDA wholesale fish market reached the office of the chief officer of Margao Municipal Council (MMC) on Friday, as trawler owners complained about alleged overcharging and extortion by collection agents. A delegation comprising Savio D'Silva, Jose Philip D'Souza, and other boat owners met with chief officer Melwyn Vaz to address mounting grievances against the municipality-appointed sopo contractor's collection practices at the wholesale fish market complex. The meeting comes amid ongoing tensions that previously led to clashes between fish suppliers and sopo collectors. 'Collection of sopo from vehicles bringing fish to the wholesale fish market is illegal. They can't collect sopo from vehicles which come to supply fish to the vendors,' said Savio D'Silva, a fishing trawler owner, while speaking to the media after the meeting. 'Sopo is collected by the municipality from persons doing business in its jurisdiction, and this is the practice prevalent across Goa.' D'Silva voiced concerns regarding the sopo contractor's operations, including 'exorbitant' parking fees charged to vehicles parked outside the market premises. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now 'When the vehicles are parked outside, they are charged exorbitant parking fees. No proper receipts are issued either,' he alleged. The sopo controversy has plagued Margao's municipal administration since early this year. The dispute initially emerged over unauthorised fee collection outside the SGPDA's wholesale fish market and has now evolved into a broader dispute involving tender processes and sopo collection practices. Earlier this year, the SGPDA filed a police complaint against the MMC-appointed sopo contractor for unauthorised fee collection outside the SGPDA wholesale fish market complex. Municipal councillors have also raised concerns about irregularities in the sopo tender process and alleged overcharging of vendors. The chief officer assured the trawler owners of convening a meeting of the sopo contractor and boat owners soon to address their grievances and find a resolution to the dispute. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
