Team Herald
margao: The meeting held at the Cutbona Jetty on Thursday decided to pursue the issues surrounding the sanitation at the jetty and of the existing toilets operated by Sulabh International.
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The stakeholders have first demanded that the Government installs the bio-toilets on land at the jetty before it is put on existing boats.
The Cutbona Boat Owners’ Society members along with the Fisheries Department officials and GOACAN representatives personally went and inspected the toilet at the fisheries land at Cutbona. The interiors of the public toilet managed by Sulabh International at Fisheries Complex at Cutbona in Salcete were observed to be in absolute shambles.
There was no sign of cleaning and supervision inside the premises. The fishermen and the panchayat representatives complained that the toilet septic tank is full and has been let into the water body besides the toilet block.
All this happened on World Toilet Day. The representation made by the consultant appointed for the fitting of toilets on board the fishing vessels at Cutbona, was inconclusive as there were many fundamental doubts that were raised.
Velim Sarpanch, Savio D’silva said they have given permission for a 50 seater toilet in 2013. To date, the toilets have not been installed. The complaint was that the Fisheries Department has not been responsive when it comes to ensuring the health and sanitation at Cutbona jetty.
Vinay Tari, Cutbona Fisheries Co-operative Society Ltd said, “Even if the bio-toilets are intsalled on the jetty within the reach of the people, the sanitation problem will be solved for now. There are many problems at the jetty which the Government has to look into.”
Roland Martins of GOACAN said, “The concept for the toilets on existing boats is good but they will be for new boats. However, these bio-toilets are needed for the jetty and we will also pursue the proposal for the 50 seater toilet for the jetty with the Fisheries department.”
