MARGAO: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday had a lengthy discussion on Swachh Bharat Mission with sarpanchas, panchas and Zilla Panchayat members from South Goa at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.
Keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, he said, the Swachh Bharat Mission has to be completed by putting an end to open defecation by October 2 this year.
When some sarpanchas pointed out that landlords are not giving NOC to construct toilets, he said toilet too is a basic need just like electricity and water and directed the authorities to provide toilets under the Health Act.
He sat patiently during the four presentations provided by the members and also answered questions from the panchas and sarpanchas.
When a sarpanch pointed out that they cannot get labourers for Rs 350 as offered by the government, he enhanced the daily wages to Rs 500.
“The government is willing to hold your hand and support you, all that we need is your cooperation and a positive attitude,” he said adding that if the garbage menace is not tackled now then in the next few years it will be difficult.
He said the government is planning to come out with the legislation which will make it mandatory for landlords to provide toilets to tenants in their properties. “The onus will be on the owners to provide toilets and fill up the stranger form failing which they will be penalised,” he warned.
He said that work to construct the Cacora garbage management plant will commence within a month’s time and will be functional within a year.
The government is planning to have three similar plants across the state.
“Land admeasuring around 40,000 square metres has been identified for a plant at the Verna Industrial Estate and we are willing to pay for the additional land adjacent to it, which belongs to the Loutolim Panchayat,” he informed adding that the Bainguinim plant will deal with garbage from Ponda and Tiswadi talukas.
In the past 5 years, the government has collected 9000 tonnes garbage from the highways; he said adding that if this was not done, the highways would be full of plastic waste even today.
“We need to have an integrated and dedicated approach to deal with garbage,” he said.
Plastic bags will be banned from May 30 (Goa Statehood Day) onwards, he said, adding that the government was planning to set up debris treatment plants in North Goa, South Goa and even Central Goa.
Pointing out that the Kadamba Transport Corporation has introduced electricity and ethanol-run buses, he said, the entire public transport system in Goa will soon run on bio-fuel as all the four plants will be generating bio gas, which could be utilised for the transportation sector.
He admitted that nearly one lakh toilets constructed by the PWD have been inefficient as at present there are around 72,000 houses without toilets in Goa and added that he is willing to provide funds to ensure that these houses are provided with toilets by October this year.
“I told my officers not to bother about funds as it’s my responsibility. I’ll get the funds but we need to keep Goa clean and green,” he said.
Earlier, Director of Panchayats Sandhya Kamat explained the salient features of the Goa Panchayats (Grants to tackle Garbage Menace) Scheme 2017 notified a few days ago to enable panchayats to deal with garbage in their locality
Managing Director of the Solid Waste Management Corporation Sanjit Rodrigues pointed out at the wrong doings of various panchayats by quoting figures to show that panchayats are not contributing towards dry waste collection. Murmurs were heard among those present who sought figures from Panjim and North Goa.
“Facts hurt and we are just stating facts and not trying to blame anybody”, explained Parrikar.
Parag Rangnekar of Mineral Foundation of Goa spoke on how the villages in the mining areas managed their garbage and how they helped the panchayats. Richard Dias gave a presentation on the challenges at the Saligao garbage management plant.
Replying to questions from panchayat members, Parrikar said there were legislations in place on sewerage treatment plant and garbage management for buildings having more than 10 flats and said he would look into its implementation.
Taking a dig at activists, who got gram sabha resolutions on coal pollution, inclusion of Goan Rivers in national waterways and Mhadei River diversion, he expressed surprise that no resolution has been taken with regards to garbage as this is an issue while affects the grassroots on a daily basis.
