Team Herald
MARGAO: Margao councillors on Tuesday refused to deposit the arbitration cash amounting to Rs 14.6 crore.
The city fathers took the decision at the special meeting of Margao Municipal Council (MMC) held to discuss the arbitration application filed by the Fomento in court seeking deposition of the above amount. The meeting also deliberated on Rs one crore fine slapped by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).
Councillor Rupesh Mahatme said, “We had warned everyone when this agreement was signed. The council and the then government had compromised and the agreement with several loopholes was inked”.
It was informed at the meeting that MMC over a period of time has already paid Rs 4.23 crore to Fomento towards the agreed amount.
Rupesh Mahatme said, “It may be informed to the relevant authorities that MMC will only pay 10 per cent of the total amount mentioned in the arbitration by the concessionaire. We have seen arbitrations of MMC getting held up for years and the interest amount going above the sum to be settled”.
Angry at not being properly briefed and informed regarding the matter, Ketan Kurtarkar, Dorris Texeira and other councillors said the Council should challenge the fine imposed by the Goa State Pollution Control Board with regards to the pollution caused due to fire at Sonsoddo.
They questioned the existence of the High Powered Committee with regards to the arbitration issue.
It is pertinent to note that MMC is staring at a major problem to deal with the daily garbage generated in the town as Fomento will close the plant gates from August 31.
