PANJIM: Following the opposition to the expansion of 100 TPD Saligao treatment plant to 250 TPD, Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo has said that the government will drop the idea of expansion only if all panchayats are ready to treat their own garbage.
The villagers of Saligao including MLA Jayesh Salgaocar, former MLA Dilip Parulekar and Congress spokesperson Tulio de Sousa along with the village panchayat of Saligao have opposed the expansion.
In a direct message to the three politicians, Lobo said they were trying to revive the sinking political career through garbage of Goa.
“The three know very well they will not be elected and hence are protesting to garner public support,” Lobo charged.
Lobo further charged that the Saligao MLA has never been so attacking when he was minister. He claimed that while Salgaocar may have ‘softly said something against the plant’, he never opposed it full throttle.
“Why, did he not oppose plant then? Was he scared of Parrikar or was he scared of losing his chair?” Lobo questioned.
He asked Salgaocar not to misguide the people by giving them wrong information.
“Let us all sit and have a proper dialogue. He should come to me and share what fears he has,” Lobo added.
On the people’s opposition, Lobo said that the people’s opposition is because the plant stinks.
“Saligao plant stinks because excess amount of garbage is getting treated at this plant. The plant’s capacity is 100 tonnes. However, 150 is getting treated and now when we want to expand the capacity, it is being objected,” he said.
