Ponda market to shut biz on September 18

PONDA: Continuing its agitation against the ‘sopo’ tax hike, Ponda municipality market vendors have again resolved to observe a ‘bandh’ to attend a court hearing on September 18.
The agitating vendors have even threatened to walk to the chief minister’s official residence on the same day, if the issue is not resolved by September 12.
Alleging that the ‘sopo’ tax hike proposed by the Ponda municipal council (PMC) is for the benefit of the ‘sopo’ tax contractor and not the council, several vendors at the market are agitating to revise the ‘sopo’ tax tariff.
The issue is long-pending and even the chief minister and his senior colleagues in the cabinet tried to persuade the agitating vendors, however, the issue seems to be
unceasing.
Alleging that the ensuing strike disturbed peace in the market area, Ponda police have filed a complaint before the taluka sub divisional magistrate (SDM).