Team Herald
SANGUEM: Taking cognisance of the report appearing on “Herald” edition dated November 3, 2020 “LOO & BEHOLD: Where are the bio-toilets Sanguem villagers paid for ?”, Goa Civic and Consumer Action Network (GOACAN ) in a letter to the Sanguem Deputy Collector has demanded immediate action in the matter and called for necessary steps to resolve the issue within a fortnight.
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GOACAN co-ordinator Roland Martins in his letter brought to the notice of the Deputy Collector Sanguem that collecting money from villagers for the construction of toilet and then not providing the same to them, amounts to service deficiency and thereby comes under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 2019
Copies of the letter have been sent to the Chief Secretary, Director of Panchayat, Block Development Office, Secretaries of the concerned panchayats and others.
It is pertinent to note here that the village panchayats from Sanguem had collected money from the locals of Uguem, Netravali, Bhati and Kalay panchayats for the construction of bio-toilets at the instance of the Goa Government at the time when Goa was declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) last year.
As per the information provided by the concerned village panchayats, the money collected by the panchayats was later forwarded to the Block Development Offices who in turn deposited the same in the government treasury.
However, it is almost a year now, there is no sign of the government making any provision for the construction of the toilets nor any filler is sent to the panchayats as to when the bio toilets would be eventually constructed.
Since last couple of months, the villagers who have paid for the bio toilets have been questioning the panchayat members as to where their money has gone and whether they would be provided with the bio toilets.
Some have been even approaching the panchayat members for refund of their money as lot of time has elapsed since they paid for the amount but no written communication is received either from the panchayat or the Government.
Goa being a tourist destination comes under intense scrutiny for the public amenities and the services used by consumers. Further as November 19 being a World Toilet Day, national and international agencies concerned with ending Open Defecation and advocating the availability of public toilets will put the spotlight on Goa, claimed Martins in his letter calling for immediate action.
