SHWETA KAMAT
shweta@herald-goa.com
The Corporation of the City of Panaji’s (CCP) refusal or at least reluctance transfer 1.71 lakh sq metres land at Bainguinim to the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) for setting up of a garbage treatment plant is going to hit hard the capital city’s prospect of being a clean and garbage-free city. However sources tell Herald that it is not so much the Mayor Surendra Furtado’s hard stand on the issue than the extreme pressure applied by a handful of corporators who do not want the CCP to “just hand it over.”
It is learnt that if CCP delays approval for transfer of land, the Government may keep the project on hold for next two-two and half years thus worsening the garbage management situation of Panjim and its surrounding areas. While insider claims that the ruling panel led by Mayor Surendra Furtado is not against the project, there are some corporators, considering their personal interest – are making attempts to blackmail government by threatening to deny permission.
Moreover, Atanasio alias ‘Babush’ Monserrate – who is ruling the CCP – is also in sync with the Government- being part of the ruling dispensation – has clearly directed his panel to transfer the land to government. (However in a late night development, Monserrate has done a U-turn on this and has announced the the CCP will not give the land for the plant). Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is also the chairman of GWMC, had in June during a high-powered meeting, requested CCP to transfer the land to GWMC for setting up modernised Solid Waste Treatment Plant (SWTP) at Bainguinim in lines with the facility operational at Saligao. If one remembers, Mayor Furtado, who had attended the meeting had given in-principal approval for the same.
Accordingly, the GWMC in June-end wrote to the director of municipal administration (DMA) seeking the transfer of land, who further forwarded the letter to CCP, which is currently in possession of land.
However, the ruling panel seems to be reluctant to hand over land to GWMC as they want that the MoU be signed with CCP, thereby reserving the right of ownership of land with the civic body itself.
The ordinary meeting of the Corporation held last week turned stormy on the issue with the ruling and opposition groups clashing with each other. During the discussion, ruling corporators objected to the immediate transfer of land whereas the Opposition members demanded that a resolution be taken within a day.
“Everyone is aware that CCP is not in position to set up the facility or run it. The entire delay is been done purposely. The land was initially purchased by the Government and not by CCP. It was handed over to CCP to set up the waste treatment facility long back in 2009. But till date, CCP has done nothing. And now also they are hell bent to delay it,” BJP corporator Pundalik Raut Dessai charged.
On the other hand, Mayor Furtado declined the allegation but refused to comment stating that Corporation decision will be known on Wednesday, when the meeting is scheduled. “I would not like to comment on the subject,” he stated.
Sources confirm that Furtado has no objection to going ahead with the project but demands that the ownership of land be vested with CCP. “You don’t require 1.71 lakh sq mtrs of land to set up a plant. If CCP transfer the entire land, then it will have no say over it in future. Ruling panel is of the clear stand that MoU can be signed, where the GWMC can build the plant and operate it,” sources said. While Government is considering the plant to handle the waste generated in entire Tiswadi taluka, CCP wants the plant to be dedicated only for Panjim, Taleigao and Old Goa. The capacity of the plant is 250 tonnes.
“I had appealed all the corporators to support and pass resolution to hand over the land as this is very important in order to solve the garbage issue,” CCP Commissioner Dipak Dessai said. He said that the Corporation is facing biggest problem of treating the garbage collected daily in Panjim in absence of a proper facility. “Project at Bainguinim is the only solution to get rid of this problem,” Commissioner stated.
Further, it is been rumoured that two corporators from the ruling panel are lobbying for sub-contractors for pavers and other items required for setting up of plant, the condition on which they will allow the transfer of land. Government, which has proposed setting up of three more waste treatment plants including one at Bainguinim, Cacora in South Goa and Verna industrial estate, may hold back the Bainguinim project for nearly two-and-half years, if CCP delays transfer now. “Government wanted to start Bainguinim work in the second phase. However, if CCP delays, then government will tender the Verna and Cacora project and then hold back Bainguinim,” sources said.
