PANJIM: Drinking in public places will soon be made a punishable offence with a fine of up to Rs 5000 to be imposed on those violating the rule, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar announced on Thursday.
Also, to place a complete ban on dumping of waste in open spaces and public areas, the government intends to further amend the Garbage Management Act, thereby increasing fines to be imposed against the violators, Parrikar said.
“Drinking in public places will be a punishable offence soon. Fine up to Rs 5000 will be imposed on the violators. After budget session, government will issue an order in this regard,” the Chief Minister said while addressing the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ Programme attended by panchayat and zilla panchayat members from North Goa.
“Government will also amend the Garbage Act, to introduce stringent action and increased fines for those who dump in open areas,” he stated. “With these two measures, almost 90 percent of the issue related to garbage and nuisance will be solved,” he added.
Parrikar was speaking in presence of Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho, Housing Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar and others. He announced that a review meeting will be held with MLAs, Panchayats and Zilla Panchayat members on the status of garbage and open defecation free issue later this year.
Announcing that work on the second solid waste treatment plant at Cacora for South Goa will commence this month end, the Chief Minister said the State’s first debris/recycling treatment plant will come up by 2018.
Parrikar said that from April, government will also start supply of toilets to those who don’t have it in a bid to achieve open defecation free mission by October 2, 2018.
