MAPUSA: Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo on Thursday said people need to change their “not in my backyard” attitude to tackle the garbage issue.
He was speaking at function organised by the Marna –Siolim panchayat to distribute green and black garbage bins for door-to-door waste collection. MLA Vinod Palyekar was present.
“Garbage is generated in households, restaurants, and other commercial places. We need to change the “not in my backyard” attitude to tackle the garbage issue,” Lobo said.
“Earlier, it would take years to clear the files pertaining to procurement of garbage bins and vehicles. However, now the process has been simplified where in all the requirements pertaining to waste will be handled by Goa Waste Management Corporation. Around 3 lakh tonnes of waste in different parts of State should to be tackled on an urgent basis”, he added.
“We have acquired 1,27,000 sq mts on Calangute plateau and all the facilities have been made available to dump segregated waste of 27 panchayats here. We have already sent letters to 27 panchayats to dump their waste here in a scientific manner,” he said.
“Tiswadi taluka generates 35 tonnes of waste of which only 10 tonnes is treated at Saligao plant. We are planning to come up with plants in South Goa and Bainguinim but there are roadblocks. People are opposing these plants. However, the people, who are opposing these plants, should also provide solution to tackle waste issue. People of South Goa need to understand that garbage has to be treated and not just dumped anyhow as it leads to soil, water and air pollution. Margao and Navelim had two Chief Ministers and Fatorda had one Deputy Chief Minister then – why didn’t these ministers take the initiative to tackle the garbage issues?” Lobo asked.
“If the garbage is not tackled in time, our clean and beautiful Goa will be tagged as “Garbage Goa”. All the 40 MLAs should take up the initiative to clean their constituency first. We are on the mission to tackle garbage across the State and the government is taking pro-active decisions in this regard,” he added.
