TEAM HERALD
PONDA: Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) has decided to reject a proposal of Goa Handicrafts Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation (GHRSSIDC) to install an OWC machine for demonstration purpose in PMC.
The decision was taken during the council meeting on Tuesday, as PMC already has five such machines in operation, three at the basement of new market complex while one near PMC building and another in the ward represented by Councillor Venkatesh Naik.
“With five such machines already in operation, installing another machine for demonstration purpose does not make any sense,” said PMC Chairperson Dr Radhika Naik.
Interestingly according to reports, Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar had earlier assured PMC to provide an OWC through GHRSSIDC. However; now Mamledar claimed that the machine is only for demonstration purposes.
PMC recently received a letter through the GHRSSIDC stating that the OWC machine is only for demonstration purpose and not for permanent use.
PMC had even passed a resolution to acquire land adjoining the vegetable market in Ward 9 to set up the OWC machine assured by GHRSSIDC Chairman Lavoo Mamledar.
“Our plan was to treat the market waste at the place adjoining the market area. But with this new development, we will have to decide whether to go ahead with land acquisition process or not,” informed Naik.
When contacted, Mamledar denied having assured to give a machine to the PMC. “I had never said that the machine will be given to PMC for permanent use. It was decided to give the machine only for demonstration purpose so that people will know how it operates,” said Mamledar.
