Garbage treatment: Civic bodies get one more week
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 22
Seven erring municipal councils got a brief relief on Monday when the High Court extended their time by a week to fully comply with the court orders pertaining to disposal and treatment of garbage.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice N A Britto, as a last opportunity, extended the time with a warning that action would be initiated against defaulting municipalities if on the next date of hearing, found non-complying with Court orders. The chief officers of the seven municipalities have been asked to remain present in the Court March 23.
The Court was hearing a suo motto writ petition on Monday that highlighted non-adherence of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Rules by municipal councils in the State.
The High Court has been pursuing this issue for about two years now, and have issued directions from time to time, to compel municipalities and panchayats to discharge their civic duties.
Yet, some municipalities did not do much progress, and continued dumping garbage, and also did not segregate it. And at times, burnt it.
On the last date of hearing held in February – Court had directed Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) — to inspect garbage treatment facilities set-up by seven municipalities to determine whether orders of the Court were complied fully.
The report of the GSPCB submitted to the Court today pointed out that in most cases composting facilities constructed are inadequate.
It also stated some of the municipalities have still not start segregation of garbage.
